Huge Things You Missed in Black Sheep Squadron
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Published 2021-09-06
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This included Bob Anderson, played by a young John Larroquette in his first major role, and Jerry Bragg played by Dirk Blocker. But to the surprise of many, Greg Pappy Boyington, the main character of the show, he was 100% real. The Marine Corp pilot flew his way into the history books as one of the most renowned aces of World War II. He served in the South Pacific, and led the courageous VMF-214 fighter squadron, dubbed the Black Sheep. Boyington brought his expertise to the show and served as a consultant on the series based on his career.
The opening credits for the show read "In World War II, Marine Corps Major Greg 'Pappy' Boyington commanded a squadron of fighter pilots. They were a collection of misfits and screwballs who became the terrors of the South Pacific. They were known as the Black Sheep." With a show made of such tremendous real-life drama, it will come as no surprise that there are plenty of things that you may have missed about the show and behind the scenes. For example, the producer of Black Sheep, Stephen J. Cannell was the king of the action genre. Behind shows like The Greatest American Hero, Hunter, The A-Team and plenty others, Cannell was hesitant when it came to the casting of Robert Conrad. Conrad himself was outspoken about the issue, explaining that Cannell knew of his history of off-camera antics.
While Conrad has stated that he was never unprofessional at work after the cameras shut down at the end of the day, he would go to the bar across the street and all hell would break loose. Fights became a regular occurrence, but it wasn’t enough to stop Conrad from being cast in the show. Join us as we dive into this aerial adventure series and look at some fascinating facts about one of the great war shows.
Huge Things You Missed in Black Sheep Squadron
All Comments (21)
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that show made me fall in love with corsairs.
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I'm getting a little teary eyed watching this. This show did two things for me. I became a huge fan of the F4U Corsair and it fueled my desires to become a pilot at the age of 15. I am 62, attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, served 11 years as an Army Aviation Officer, flew 2 years as a Part 135 pilot, 10 years as a corporate pilot and now 10 years as a simulator/ground instructor training military, corporate, commercial, contractor and special ops operators. This show made such an impact for me that I have purchased the DVD set. Pappy's Lambs was a little hokey but that's television. For the misfits and screwballs that this show had such an impact, sing along with me. "We are poor little lambs, who have lost our way. BAAAAA!! BAAAAAA!!!! BAAAAA!!!!"
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The fact that Col. Boyington actually appeared on the show is pretty amazing!
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The Geatest star of the Black Sheep Squadron series is and always will be the F-4U Corsair. That's the reason I watched. thank you for the look back!!.
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I loved BBBS as a kid. It was the only TV show I cared enough about to write a letter of protest to the studio when I found out the show was going to be cancelled; I received a large B&W publicity still from the studio in return, which I hadn't expected (long since lost, sadly). I was too young at the time to appreciate all of the historical inaccuracies in the show; to a kid with lots of WWII airplane models hanging from his bedroom ceiling, BBBS was pure awesomeness, no matter its faults. Still love the Corsair to this day.
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Greg Boyington was a Medal of Honor , Navy Cross, & Purple Heart recipient, a fighter pilot ace, shot down in the Pacific and became a Japanese POW. The real Boyington was a hard drinking man that suffered from alcoholism until his death probably due to undiagnosed PTSD sadly. I seen an interview with Greg Boyington where he said the TV show as 95% Hollywood fiction 5 % real. I loved the show as a teenager. Thanks for posting.
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Robert Conrad was one of a kind, and I had a chance to tell him what a positive impact he had on my life. I was meritoriously promoted while in the Marine Corps, I was named 1992 State Firefighter of the year, worked as a rescue diver and much more. Robert Conrad is greatly missed Semper Fi
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Each week I could not wait for the new episode. Loved this show. Well written and acted. Robert Conrad was born to play the role of Major Greg Boyington. The chemistry he had with Red West - who will forever be immortalized as MSgt Andy Micklin Maintenance Superintendent VMF 214 - was great. Micklin: "I don't like you Boyington" but he respected him. RIP to both of these actors who made this show something special - you are missed.
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RIP Robert Conrad, you were and will always be the man.
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Just a point regarding Robert Conrad's bar fights. I read an article several years ago about this that pointed out Conrad was a laid-back, friendly individual who never caused any trouble. If people came up to him in public he would take time to politely talk with them, answer their questions and give them autographs. Unfortunately, due to his on-screen "bad assed" persona, especially during "Wild, Wild West", there always seemed to be some idiot who wanted to prove Conrad was a "phony" who wasn't as bad as his characters. Sadly for them, Conrad, a martial artist, WAS as bad as his characters. While he never STARTED a fight, he FINISHED several! I can't blame him for defending himself.
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I really enjoyed the series. My dad was a pilot and inspired me to become one also. Started flying with him at 5 years old and now 63 yeas old. I have multiple FAA Pilots Licenses and run a radio control club here in South Carolina. My favorite plane is the F4-U Corsair , Have 3 of different sizes. I was heartbroken when I heard of Robert Conrad's , passing. The Club calls Me Captain Pappy. Shall never forget him and watch the re-runs all the time. Capt. Robert Morgan Brooks. P.I.C of N32DQ , Lake Amphibian LA-4-200. May He Rest in peace.
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I have always loved the Corsair. You look at them and see nothing but power and maneuverability. I am also in love with the P51 Mustang. Long live my Great Uncle Major Peter Borges USAF.
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My father and I watched this show when I was a kid, dad served in Vietnam. We loved it. Fun fact I served in the Air Force 214th squadron in Iraq and Afghanistan.... Also called the Black Sheep.
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I owned one of the Tora Tora Zeros. They were actually converted Canadian Harvard IV's, which were Canadian manufactured versions of the beloved AT-6G. Several were re-featured with recycled video in the first version of Midway. They never reflew but some of their footage from TTT was reused. They were sold to museums and private owners after TTT for about $5500 and only a couple actually participated in Blacksheep. I have an autographed copy of "BAA BLACK SHEEP" to me from Pappy when he spoke at a dining in at Mather AFB in the late seventies when I was flying navigator trainees there. He was a great guy.
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Baa Baa Black Sheep was my absolute favorite show when it came out in the 70s. I even had a Corsair model in my room among many WWII fighter planes. Bob Conrad was total badass.
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Great picture of the Douglas Family at the End...
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Robert Conrade is also an honorary member of the actual VMA 214 [based at MCAS Yuma, Az.] and was given a ride in an AV8B Harrier aircraft
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I enjoyed the first season. Loved the aerial footage of those Corsairs! From memory, the first couple of episodes, some characters were killed off, so I thought that this show would be different to the usual, where you always knew that the main characters would survive. I didn't take long before it went the usual way of predictability. But then... you always got to see those Corsairs flying! 😊
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I'm still watching the show twice each Saturday on the channel Hero's and Icons. I never get tired of watching the Corsairs. I am always amazed the horsepower required to turn that prop!
