The Aeronauts

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.

Directed by Jean-Michel Charlier, The Aeronauts leans on a strong ensemble — Jacques Santi, Christian Marin — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about action & adventure titles of 1967.