The Red Helmet: USAF Thunderbirds Flight Helmets (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781943492763)

This first-ever book explores the history, development and evolution of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds flight helmets, from the team's inception in 1953 to present-day. Learn the origin and meaning of the Native American Thunderbird emblem and how this came to be the iconic image we associate with America's "Ambassadors in Blue." Follow the detailed progress of handcrafting a modern flight helmet and witness the meticulous designing, painting and stunning graphics that set these helmets apart. Meet several Thunderbird pilots through in-depth human-interest interviews and go behind the scenes at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Home of the Thunderbirds. The book includes hundreds of black & white and color photos of Thunderbirds flight helmets from Thunderbird pilots, museums and private collections spanning 66 years.