Road To The Stars R 1 of 2

Road To The Stars Reel 1 of 2 Moscow Central Documentary Film Studios English narration Titles intercut w/ shots of military aircraft bombers taxiing at air base. CU Lt. Col. Vassily Klimov, former pilot of Soviet Air Force who shot down 27 Nazi planes during WWII. 02:40:57 Klimov reviews Junior Cosmonauts lined up in uniform, attend Young Cosmonauts Club at Orienburg Air Force School after regular lessons, Klimov in charge. Ex-pupil Yuri Gagarin’s plane preserved w/ plaque. Two students sit in fighter plane w/ others watching. Classroom scenes, model aircraft examined - aeronautics & physics taught. Observing experiments. 02:43:19 Outdoor training - students swinging on 360-degree frames; camera attached as student spins round; Klimov watches. Girls cheer junior cosmonauts playing football, camera focuses on muscular physique of young player. Students helping on local co-operative farm as volunteers. 02:45:14 Young cosmonauts run & jump into river Ural from low cliff as part of training - VO says Klimov cannot fly or run any more due to WWII injury. Dejected student talks to Klimov after failing medical exam required to do parachute jump. Boys undergoing medical checks outdoors. Boys on two-person swings. Klimov persuades doctors to perform further examination of his student, who passes. 02:47:48 Students on railway station saying goodbye to families day before parachute jump; boy says goodbye to girlfriend - Klimov along platform, VO says despite State providing everything for his retirement, he wants to pass on his skills. Boys wave from train. Russia / USSR; Military Aviation; Cosmonauts; Astronauts; Veterans; Retirement;