The Aeronauts

7.5

1967

The Aeronauts was a French children's TV series about two fighter jet pilots and their adventures. It was based on a comic book series by Jean-Michel Charlier and Albert Uderzo. Made by French production company Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française between 1967 and 1970, its original French title was Les chevaliers du ciel. The three seasons were originally filmed in colors but the first season was broadcast on French TV from September 1967 in black and white, as French television was only in black and white at the time. All three seasons, however, were later released in colors when the series appeared in a 6-DVD box in the early 2000s. This 6-DVD set is now sold out and used copies fetch high prices. It was dubbed into English, retitled The Aeronauts and shown on UK children's TV in the early 1970s. In 1972 Rick Jones released a single of the anglicised theme tune. In 1976 a version dubbed into Afrikaans and titled Mirage was shown by the SABC in South Africa.

Production

Seasons

13 Episodes • Premiered 1967

1. Episode 1

Michel Tanguy and Ernest Laverdue are sent to the Dijon airbase. When they arrive they end up half naked in front of the commanding officer. They also attract the attention of a mysterious Mr X who makes Tanguy a proposal.

2. Episode 2

The head of the airbase receives a copy of a gambling debt signed by Tanguy. He may therefore be dismissed from the air force. Meanwhile there are problems with the oxygen supplies at high altitude.

3. Episode 3

Two Canadian officers, Lester and Gagnon arrive at Dijon to fly the Mirage, but they are intercepted and replaced at the airport the journey by two lookalikes.

4. Episode 4

The Canadian officers are suspected as replacements by the captain, but is unable to raise the alarm.

5. Episode 5

The captain has an accident caused by the spies who have infiltrated the base.

6. Episode 6

A young pilot, Larrafieu joins the squadron. He is afraid due to having had an accident that killed his wingman. The commander tries to get him to resign.