Australian Journalist Derryn Hinch at Cape Kennedy gave a live description of the Apollo 11 launch – on Sydney’s Radio 2GB and its Macquarie Broadcasting Service affiliated stations across Australia.

This recording really captures the intense excitement of the launch. (A writer to the Sydney Morning Herald explained, “I listened to the radio description and felt I was there.” See the letter here.)

Edited version – The launch of Apollo 11
4 min 15 sec / 1.6 MB mp3

This 4 minute 15 second edited recording was included on the Macquarie News Long Play vinyl record entitled “The Loneliest Journey”. Cover image.

The record was preserved by Colin Mackellar who digitised it and sent it to Derryn in 2007.

Full version – The launch of Apollo 11
13 min 52 sec / 9.5 MB mp3

This recording covers the full six minutes of Derryn’s live report, starting 4 minutes 17 seconds before launch.

It was recorded off-air by Steve Howard in Sydney using an open reel tape recorder.

At the start of the segment, 2GB newsreader Terry Dear hands over to Brian White, head of news programmes, as he speaks by telephone with Derryn Hinch, who is in the Launch Complex 39A Press Stand at Cape Kennedy.

After Derryn’s description, coverage switches to that provided by Rhett Turner on the Voice of America.

(Steve found his recording after hearing Derryn talk about the edited recording from the vinyl record. We sent a copy to Derryn and he played it on his 3AW drive-time show on Wednesday 16th July 2008.)

Brian White comments
1 min 52 sec / 880kb mp3

A few minutes after the launch, 2GB’s Brian White replays the launch commentary.

With thanks to Derryn Hinch for his goodwill for this website to share these recordings – and for the photo. And thanks – of course – to Steve Howard for his recording.

Audio digitised and enhanced by Colin Mackellar.