Books published by Crecy Publishing

The origins of the Great Western Railway lay in the desire of leading merchants in the city of Bristol for a rapid link to London to maintain the role of the city''s port in trade with the Americas in the face of growing competition from Liverpool. The crests of both cities were incorporated into the GWR''s coat of arms. As the railway network expanded throughout the nineteenth century, Bristol became an increasingly important railway centre with the Midland Railway joining the GWR in serving the city and with tracks expanding into the docks and major industrial complexes as a consequence of increasing trade. In this new all colour book, Bristol based railway expert Gerry Nichols explores the great variety of lines and workings in the greater Bristol area that were still active from the 1950s onwards using the superb photographs taken by the late Mark Warburton. The photos are accompanied by detailed captions throughout. Contained within the pages of the book is a veritable feast of steam engines and early diesels, at work on main lines, secondary routes, branches and dock and industrial lines in and around the city. The photos cover that fascinating period in the 1950s and the early 1960s when steam was beginning to be eclipsed by modern traction. The book is an absolute delight not just for Bristolians but also for all who are interested in the city, its hinterland and in the complex network of lines which served it.

A detailed chronology of the last years of BR steam, area by area and working by working. Illustrated throughout with many of the photos directly linked to events and workings recorded in the text.

Locomotive Traction 2019 is the essential companion for modern traction enthusiasts and for all of those with even a passing interest in the locomotives seen on the network today. For those involved in the industry itself it will provide a handy reference source to remind them of the traction options available from the various leasing firms

Luftwaffe pilot Walter Schuck flew the Me 109 in the Arctic Sea fighter squadrons becoming the Russian air force's feared enemy in the far north. Awarded the Knights Cross in April 1944 he claimed his 100th kill in June of that year, then barely 48 hours later shot down 12 aircraft in one day - a record never achieved by any other Arctic Sea pilot. Celebrated by his colleagues for his skill, courage, sheer guts and chivalry including the deep feelings for those he shot down, he earned the nickname "Adler der Tundra" or "Eagle of the Tundra". In this autobiography, the author tells his story simply, conveying his impressions of life, the rationale of the Lufwaffe and the everyday life of a military man in those times, including the difficulties and hardships of the war in the Arctic Seas. In a gripping narrative, the author helps us to understand why he and his colleagues were prepared to lay down their lives for their people, and their country. Rich in detail and facts and supplemented by photographs from his personal collection and color aircraft profiles, Walter Schuck helps us to put the past into context, painting a unique picture of life in the Luftwaffe during the times of the Third Reich.

The new 2019 edition of this best-selling annual publication builds on the long history and heritage of the title. First published in 1950, this is remarkably the 70th edition of Civil Aircraft Markings.

This book charts the history of the US airlifter from its origins in World War II to today's transport giants. In doing so, it reveals and describes numerous designs which never saw the light of day, examining the thinking behind them and giving insights into why they did, or did not, succeed.

Devon and Cornwall are renowned both for their spectacular scenery, ranging from rugged uplands to dramatic seascapes, and as popular holiday destinations. Many will recall with affection lines portrayed in the book.

Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs.

The classic railway colour photos of Roy Vincent are selected from here, presenting the work of a neglected master of the field.

LNER train services carrying non-standard loads such as passengers' luggage in advance, mail, newspapers, perishable goods and more are depicted through photographs and illustrations in this detailed exploration of such functions from 1923 to 1968. Suitable inspiration for railway modellers.

This is the autobiography of Alan Deere, New Zealand's most famous RAF pilot who saw action from the Munich Crisis to the invasion of France in 1944. Al Deere experienced the drama of the early days of the Battle of Britain while serving with Spitfire squadrons based at Hornchurch and Manston, and his compelling story tells of the successes and frustrations of those critical weeks. Deere's nine lives are the accounts of his fantastic luck in escaping from seemingly impossible situations. During the Battle of Britain he parachuted from stricken aircraft on three occasions and once was blown up by a bomb whilst taking off from Hornchurch during an attack on the airfield. In March 1943 Deere was appointed Wing Commander of the famous Biggin Hill Wing and by the end of the war, his distinguished 'score' was destroyed 22, probables 10 and damaged 18.

This is the biography of the renowned WWII South African Spitfire pilot Adolf (Sailor) Malan. The book recounts how he rose in less than 15 months to be acknowledged as Britain's premier fighter pilot. A born leader, a superb shot and an exceptional tactician, Malan honed his skills in the air battles over Dunkirk and later in his Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. He escorted Horsa Gliders carrying some of the first British units into action during the D-Day landings and later became Station Commander at Biggin Hill. Malan was a larger than life and heroic figure in an era which had more than its fair share of such men. He finished the war with the reputation both as one of the RAF's great fighter pilots and one of the leading tactical thinkers on the use of fighter aircraft in conflict.

Originally open wagons, those defined as having no cover and generally used for coal, minerals or other products not unduly affected by weather conditions, were of two types: private owner or Railway Company owned.

Those interested in the Southern Railway and the Southern Region of British Railways will know of Mike King''s previously published and acclaimed volumes.

Reprints of titles from the famous Ian Allan Publishing abc series that ran from the 1940s through to the 1960s offer wonderful nostalgic snapshots of a railway scene which has long since disappeared.

The ''Yellow Trains'' or to be more accurate, the various measurement and test trains operated by Network Rail are a regular sight to commuters and passengers alike on all parts of the railway system.

British Rail's architectural legacy is evaluated, showing the contribution of UK railway stations to the development of mainstream twentieth century architecture. From the author of "British Rail Designed 1948-1997".

For many years, the day to day working and opinions of the Vietnamese Peoples'' Air Force (VPAF) has remained relatively unknown until the author uncovered rare first-hand accounts and many new photographs of VPAF operations over North Vietnam between 1965-1975. Frank opinions are voiced on how the North Vietnamese viewed the gradual escalation of the aerial conflict over their country, including details on key operations and VPAF tactics against USAF F-4s, F-105s, F-8s and B-52s. Details of the Black Friday Massacre, America''s heaviest aerial defeat are related in the words of Nguyen Van Coc (the highest scoring pilot of the Vietnam conflict) who tells of his first kill and Dong Van De who recalls how he achieved the first ever double kill over American-flown aircraft, events which were never released into the public domain. Leading VPAF pilots including Major General Pham Ngoc Lan discuss their aerial engagements and tactics and Nguyen Tiem Sam recollects his kills of F-4 Phantoms using only ATOLL air-to -air missiles. Following exhaustive research, the author reveals much new data, which challenges previous reports. Three kills claimed by Lt. `Duke'' Cunningham, later a US Senator and the success of Operation Bolo, America''s response to the Black Friday Massacre are discussed. Also for the first time outside Vietnam, details of the Christmas bombings are released including the controversial first night fighter kill of a B-52 by Vu Xuan Thieu - a fact which the US military have never accepted even to this day.

With Crossrail 1, the Elizabeth Line, nearing completion and plans for Crossrail 2, to be built on a north east/south west axis, being actively pursued, this book examines the fascinating and often troubled history of attempts to improve railway connectivity in the Metropolis. The story begins with plans dating back to the 1930s to address the issues of capacity and connections which were even then apparent. This included the New Works Programme of 1935/40 to extend the Underground and the ambitious plans of London County Council to expand the mainline railway network across the capital drawn up during the war but dropped afterwards. Whilst the need to address London''s problems were highlighted in numerous shelved reports before Crossrail, which was defeated in Parliament when first proposed in 1994, lack of political will and a shortage of money meant that only a few schemes such the restoration of the Blackfriars to Farringdon link branded as Thameslink, the new Victoria Line and the creation and extension of the Jubilee line were ever carried through to completion. The book also provides analysis of the future prospects for main line railways across London, concluding that while capacity can be enhanced in the short term, if passenger numbers and freight traffic continue to increase further railway construction will be required.

In this completely new book, the author provides an overview of what has been lost from the national railways. Included are lines abandoned by the `Big Four'' as well as those lost in the savage cuts of the Beeching era, from the largest structures to tiny relics of past glories.