HIGH FLIGHT 420

Back in the day when late night TV would sign off we had High Flight...it's a poem set to music and images of a jet soaring high against a backdrop of heavenly clouds..when you heard High Flight you knew that broadcast television was done till tommorrow...no all night theatre, no infomercials, no VCR...the kegs dry...put down the bong..say goodnight....Here is my retake on this 70's classic..let me know what you think.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• high
• flight
• 420
• tv
• classic
• 1970s

[johneddy98033]

What was the plane photographed in this clip?

[leomannpictures]

@johneddy98033 There are a number of types seen in this footage. The first plane is just air show footage of a F-16. Later you see a F-18 as well as some commercial airliners seen from afar.

[ksol1460]

Do you think you might be able to find the original?

[leomannpictures]

Check "KCRA Channel 3..." it has a later version with F-15s. The original, I believe, features F-104s and if it's not on Youtube i can find it an put it up. thanks for looking!

[leomannpictures]

Oops, I meant to respond to the last guys post and I accidently deleted it...any way that is beethoven..can't say which one but I think it's somthin or other in Ebm...what I do know forsure is that all the footage, clouds and all, is %100 shot me with my faithful Sony pc-1...thanks for checking it out..LEO

[racecat31]

"High Flight" was composed by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American serving with the RCAF. He was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents.

In August or September 1941, Pilot Officer Magee composed "High Flight" and sent a copy to his parents. Several months later, on 11 September, 1941 his Spitfire collided with another plane over England and Magee, only 19 years old, crashed and was killed.

He is buried in the churchyard cometary at Scopwick,Lincolnshire.

[leomannpictures]

Thanks Racecat31, go RCAF!

[Gvieto]

Beautiful poem by the late John Gillespie Magee Jr.

[kcthatsawinner]

There's a video of High Flight that was used during KDKA-TV's last day of analog broadcasting. Search for "KDKA analog signoff" and see how Pittsburgh's first television station said farewell to 'KD Country' on June 12, 2009. Oh, you'll have to endure Letterman's Top 10 List about the analog shutoff until 3:15. Every time I see the KDKA analog signoff, 'High Flight' ALWAYS brings me to at least 5 minutes of tears.

It was a classy way for KD to remember our heroes, even though they air CBS News.

[pfjpad]

Every Air Force and former Air Force member knows that poem by heart. Great video.

[raypsi]

great remake

[richartrod]

Nicely done. A great update of a late night TV classic. Have you thought of shopping this to TV stations today? Even in the digital 24-hour world, some channels would air this before a legal station ID and the early morning news. If nothing else, thanks for putting it on YouTube.

Rich Rodriguez, West Covina, CA

P.S. Check out my animated test pattern parody, "Late Night TV", on my channel "richartrod".  :)

[ChameleonWeb]

For only 41K would know, we were like none other than those who flew before U.S., but was too blind too know anything! May the "Birds of Pray keep her safe!"

[NorthernLightsNmbr5]

this gave me a boner ?

[danje10]

The T-38 version of this (USAF production) can be found with a search for KABC Los Angeles Sign Off 1982. You'll have to wait thru 2:00 minutes to see it.

I like the F-16 version you posted, but my favorite of all has to be the F-104 version they played for us whenever they could (about once a week I think) at the USAF Academy 1964-1968.

If you could find it and post it, I'd love it. Cant find it on Youtube. Brings tears to my eye. (I flew F-4 in Viet Nam, retired 747 Captain now.)