Robert Brandt

Thunderbird Lounge: an Aviator's Story About One Early Transportation Helicopter Company, Along with Its Sister Companies As They Paved the Way in What Was to Become "A Helicopter War" Robert Brandt

This book nails it! The author deftly documents the fears, frustrations, frolics and foibles of these pilots and crews as they endure their moment in the muck of 'the only war they had.' There is a movie in here somewhere. To quote the late commander of the unit, 'Good job Brandt'."

Chief Warrant Officer Fredrick "Fox" P. Cullen, Jr.


This is a story as seen through the eyes of one 1st Lieutenant Army aviator, during the early US military commitment to support the Republic of South Vietnam in its counter-insugency operations against North Vietnam's campaign to reunite Vietnam under communist rule. It depicts the daily life of these soldiers and aviation crew members as they went about proving the importance of the helicopter in modern warfare. Describes in detail how the helicopter was employed, puts you in the pilot's seat, death and humor, frustrations encountered, and a tribute to those soldiers and airmen who paid the ultimate price.