Bob Gandt has written six fictional aviation thrillers featuring "Brick" Maxwell. He personally knew a real life character that catalyzed the inspiration. The following was sent to Bob by the family:

Dear Mr. Gandt:

Our family just recently learned of your four novels featuring "Brick Maxwell" as a fictional naval aviator hero. The real Brick Maxwell (Capt. G. F. Brick Maxwell), Naval Aviator, Pan Am Clipper Captain, was our dad. He did fit your description of the character you related to Admiral Taylor when he interviewed you on the release of Shadows of War ­ "a flawed but gutsy warrior who doesn't mind breaking a few rules." We, agree you made a good choice to represent "our flying heroes" and are honored that you "swiped his name." (Dad would get a big kick out of that) We have been passing on the real Brick's stories going on three generations. One of his grandsons's summed it up best: "I guess this elevates grandfather from a dad's tale to the status of legend." Anyway you may see a spike in sales as our family hits the book sites.

Sincerely, Paul Maxwell
Sunday, September 10, 2006  

Black Star Rising...  China is expanding its industrial might, becoming the second largest consumer of oil in the world. And the only thing blocking China's access to the huge oil reserves in the South China Sea is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. When a Vietnamese oil rig is destroyed, China is obviously the culprit.


The Killing Sky...The story opens with an American-Israeli military exercise that goes badly wrong when Cmdr. Brick Maxwell's wingman is shot down and taken prisoner by a group of Palestinian insurgents.


Shadows of War... Brick Maxwell lost a good friend when squadron mate Raz Rasmussen was shot down in the first Gulf War. Though Raz's body was never recovered, he was declared KIA and soon forgotten. Years later, when Raz's now-remarried wife receives a call claiming he is alive, she frantically asks Maxwell to investigate.


Black Star... Brick Maxwell and his squadron of Roadrunners are flying cover for the President of Taiwan's jetliner when it's blown out of the sky. But Maxwell suspects that China has stolen the plans for the Black Star -- a virtually invisible superstealth fighter.


Acts of Vengeance... When a motor launch carrying the USS Ronald Reagan's top brass is attacked, the United States vows a swift reprisal. Squadron skipper Brick Maxwell and the Roadrunners are assigned a deep air strike in northern Yemen.


With Hostile Intent... The Gulf War has been over for ten years.  It's up to pilots like Brick Maxwell and his glory-seeking commander, Killer DeLancey, to keep the peace by a narrow margin - a margin called the No-Fly zone.  The Iraqi pilots like to buzz the borders - just close enough to shake up the U.S. Hornets' nest.