Beautiful. Never saw that version before; our local stations used a stock National Anthem for signoffs...

I think, at that point in time, there was much more artistic choices made locally...

Vix

I only recall seeing a color bar pattern at our local stations’ sign-on. But the sign-off was exactly as you described. It gave me chills to hear “High Flight” read like that.

me too... really...

Vix

OwO what a beautiful poem. Much sad what happened to him. I'm a little too young to remember the national anthem sign offs. But I've heard the legends of such. Thank you for sharing ^^

*smiles... you are most welcome... the only constant in the world is change...

Vix

This is so gentle and dramatic. Thank you for your amazing work.

*smiles and gives him a hug...

Vix

Thank you for sharing this piece of history. Clearly a fine poet.

He was... and like all of us, human and a regular sort of person...

Vix

Lovely, Vix.

thank you Walt...

Vix

As an aviator I've always loved this poem.
And.. if not for the F-104 I wouldn't exist.

now you know you'll have to tell me of this... and - I have a friend still in aviation over near Melbourne, Fl. and he went with a customer to watch him take a ride in an F-104. He sent me a vid - very impressive. It's still a beautiful aircraft, and very fast.

Vix

Missile with a man in it. Read it is famously dangerous to fly. The sound of its howl is epic tho

basically that's what it was... bad design mechanically - you lost hydraulics all was lost... but it was fast...

Vix

well, i'd say it was the best design they could make to hit near impossible specs...that doesn't mean it was a safe or reliable design....hints at the near desperate state of things at the height of the cold war. "get it up and fighting cuz we're all about to die anyway" the controversy of that sketchy as hell deal with the lufwaffe by lockheed wasn't so justifiable tho, especially with the human cost that gave it the well earned name "widowmaker" having a very speedy landing speed

I've read that the F-104 didn't have an overly high accident rate compared to other aircraft of the era, the main problem was the role it was employed in with the forces in Germany, very fast, very low level, and very little chance of correcting a mistake, there weren't any particular issues with the design itself, and certainly not in the high-altitude interceptor role for which it was intended.

Yeah, all the century series were hot birds.

The F-104 has an inertial navigation unit made by Litton Industries, the LN-3. Both my parents were hired onto Litton to work on the LN-3, my father on the gyro and my mother on the gimbal. They met at a company party and the rest is history.

Now that is just so very cool! Please give them my best.

Vix

19 and he did all that. They made em good in those days....weird how mankind is at its best when it is at its worst...

and that is the truth...

Vix

Regan quoted that poem in his speech about the challenger anomaly

I didn't know that...

Vix

Look upwards to OldeWolf's replies... it's way cool...

Vix

I have heard High Flight recited many times of course but never knew its history nor actually read it. Brought tear to my eyes. Thank you.

*smiles... you're very welcome...

*hugs...

Vix

Thank you for "the rest of the story." Like many others, I've read or heard this poem many times before, but never knew it's background. Thanks again for bringing it to the surface.

You are so very welcome... I even wonder if they make any like him anymore...

Vix

Most incredible, for sure.

it is...

*giggles...

Vix

Beautiful poem. I have actually never read it before. Thanks for sharing this wonderful little piece of history.

you're very welcome... history is so very full of interesting things...

Vix

A wonderful poem indeed, an an excellent reading.

and for me some good memories...

Vix

I guess when you're at Angels 10+ you see things more clearly.
The only other pilot poet I knew was Randall Jarrell and his "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner."
Both expressed the awe of flight.

I shall have to look for that one…

Vix