TV show "Black Sheep Squadron"

[Bob Wright]

I've been watching the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron" of late on Saturday evenings. Gets kind of corny and far fetched at times, but good aerial footage. Some of the gun camera scenes get the theaters mixed up, a FW -190 going down in flames from Papy's guns, for example. Also of interest are the actors who went on to star in other series. Dan Blocker's son is also noted among them.

Another show is "Tour of Duty" based on the war in Viet Nam. Seems they spent more time in Saigon than in the bush. And they had civilian clothes? And Class "A" uniforms?

Bob Wright

 

[WAYNO]

Both of these shows, however corny... I would still like to watch again. For whatever reason, they are not available thru my cable provider.







.

 

[OLE_X_ME]

corny as some of the old tv shows and movies were back in the days, they were still entertaining, and not as bloody and gorey as todays stuff.

low budget (by todays standards) but were costly back then, especially period correct clothing (costumes).

they had to keep the ratings up, to survive another year.

i watch a lot of old tv shows, movies, as corny as they may be, as i am entertained.

 

[BearBiologist]

Boyington was a member of the AVG.

 

[Snake45]

The BSS Corsairs are well-known and semi-legendary in the Warbird community. The real Boyington and VMF-214 in the period depiced flew F4U-1 and -1A Corsairs, mostly in the so-called "tricolor" paint scheme; the BSS Corsairs were a ragtag collection of -1A/FG-1A, F4U-4, and even a very late F4U-7 (built for the French in 1952) Corsairs, all painted in overall Glossy Sea Blue, a late-war scheme, with no numbers or other markings to make the editing of the footage easier. Many of these Corsairs still exist and are airworthy.

Simon Oakland (a veteran of Bullitt) played the General, and the maintenance sergeant who called the pilots "college boy" was played by Red West, a member of Elvis's entourage/inner circle/"Memphis Mafia." He also appeared in Road House, among other movies and TV shows.

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Here's a link to info about those BSS Corsairs:

https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/poor-lambs-corsairs-baa-baa-blacksheep.html

 

[GunnyGene]

Met Pappy once. Have an autographed copy of his book.

 

[Ride1949]

Thanks for posting this.Great article! The Corsair is my favorite WWll aircraft.

 

[eveled]

I really enjoyed Black Sheep Squadron, Tour of Duty, Rat Patrol, and some others back then.

They were all serious let downs when I went back to them. But they did give me a desire to lean about WW2 and American history. The kind of history they didn’t teach at school.

Here is a really good video about Pappy

Here is a video highlighting the 3 times the real Pappy was on the TV show

 

[Jeepnik]

Conrad had a number of TV shows. Two High Mountain Rangers and High Sierra Search and Rescue had basically the same plot. As it turns out Conrad was involved with a Search and Rescue organization so that's probably why he liked the concept.

 

[NC FNS]

BSS was one of the last shows I watched on a regular basis. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for the insight.

Wasn’t Robert Conrad the guy in the "Knock the battery off my shoulder" commercial?

 

[Snake45]

I really enjoyed Black Sheep Squadron, Tour of Duty, Rat Patrol, and some others back then.

They were all serious let downs when I went back to them. But they did give me a desire to lean about WW2 and American history. The kind of history they didn't teach at school.

Here is a really good video about Pappy

Here is a video highlighting the 3 times the real Pappy was on the TV show

Cool video!

At 2:19, the fake newsreel erroneously labels VMF-214 as "YMF-214" :oops:

Elvis crony Red West can be seen at 2:29. ;)

 

[KIR]

Robert Conrad came into the bar I was managing at the time. They had been up at Tahoe skiing. I was sitting at the end and he sat next to me. His wife was with him as were his two teenage sons. He told them to go wait in the restaurant on the other side of a wrought iron fence. He ordered a couple of beers. I waved at my barmaid, to not worry about charging him. I turned to him and asked him, "Aren't you the guy who does those battery commercials"? He kinda snickered at that and his wife smiled. After they left, my barmaid asked me if she could take home the beer glass he drank out of...

 

[black1970]

Hey Bob-saw Red West several times grocery shopping at the Kroger just off Popular across the street from Folkes Folly. Mendenhall I think. He died a few years ago. His hair was a foot long.

 

[el caminero]

I've been watching the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron" of late on Saturday evenings. Gets kind of corny and far fetched at times, but good aerial footage. Some of the gun camera scenes get the theaters mixed up, a FW -190 going down in flames from Papy's guns, for example. Also of interest are the actors who went on to star in other series. Dan Blocker's son is also noted among them.

Another show is "Tour of Duty" based on the war in Viet Nam. Seems they spent more time in Saigon than in the bush. And they had civilian clothes? And Class "A" uniforms?

Bob Wright

Because hollywood. Most viewers are woefully ignernt, and they are the target (escapist) audience.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Boyington was not only a drunk but a mean drunk, liar and on top of that a jerk.
Ok Now I will tell my story ;)
Son Trey and I watched the TV series and I had his book that Trey had also read. Trey couldn't get enough of his HERO until 1977 Oshkosh Fly-In, Trey was 9YO at that time. Boyington was set up to sell his books at Osh. to make extra drinking money. Trey had found a VERY nice Large painting of Boyington's Corsair "Lulabelle" in an Island scene with other F4Us in the pattern. Trey just had to have in and our plan was to get Boyington to sign it. Well we beat feet to Boyington's tent to get him to sign and a picture with Trey. When asked if he would sign the painting "NOPE I only sign my books". Well Pappy I already have one of your early books and don't need another.
Still no signature. "OK Pappy I'll buy a book" Still NOPE. "How about I buy 2 of your books" "Well OK" So now I have a happy Kid, but he was also disappointed in his hero and the way he acted.
Yes we both still have his books and the painting hangs on the wall of his house along with the pictures of him with one of the F4Us used in the series and the 1977 picture of him with Boyington.

Tex Hill of AVG fame and a real hero writes in "Flying Tiger" of Boyington's crap while with the AVG. I have spoke with Mr. Hill many times at Fly-Ins and he was a true Gentleman. I highly recommend his book.
CAF P-40 to honor Tex Hill and was once owned and restored by Mike Dillon of Dillon Precision.

Lulabelle with the press. Notice no tail hook. Marine land based F4Us didn't need them or folding wings.

 

[Bob Wright]

As to Tex Hill, he was asked about his fame, to which his reply was, "They got John Wayne to play me!"

Bob Wright

 

[sfhogman]

Boyington was not only a drunk but a mean drunk, liar and on top of that a jerk.
Ok Now I will tell my story ;)
Son Trey and I watched the TV series and I had his book that Trey had also read. Trey couldn't get enough of his HERO until 1977 Oshkosh Fly-In, Trey was 9YO at that time. Boyington was set up to sell his books at Osh. to make extra drinking money. Trey had found a VERY nice Large painting of Boyington's Corsair "Lulabelle" in an Island scene with other F4Us in the pattern. Trey just had to have in and our plan was to get Boyington to sign it. Well we beat feet to Boyington's tent to get him to sign and a picture with Trey. When asked if he would sign the painting "NOPE I only sign my books". Well Pappy I already have one of your early books and don't need another.
Still no signature. "OK Pappy I'll buy a book" Still NOPE. "How about I buy 2 of your books" "Well OK" So now I have a happy Kid, but he was also disappointed in his hero and the way he acted.
Yes we both still have his books and the painting hangs on the wall of his house along with the pictures of him with one of the F4Us used in the series and the 1977 picture of him with Boyington.

Tex Hill of AVG fame and a real hero writes in "Flying Tiger" of Boyington's crap while with the AVG. I have spoke with Mr. Hill many times at Fly-Ins and he was a true Gentleman. I highly recommend his book.
CAF P-40 to honor Tex Hill and was once owned and restored by Mike Dillon of Dillon Precision.
View attachment 40855

Lulabelle with the press. Notice no tail hook. Marine land based F4Us didn't need them or folding wings.
View attachment 40856

Not the first time I've heard that sort of thing about Boyington

 

[Jeepnik]

Why do people expect heroic individuals to be nice guys? Some are some aren’t, just like the rest of humanity.

But regardless of a heroes personality, it doesn’t change their accomplishments.

 

[KIR]

NICE GUY: Merlin Olsen of the Rams' Fearsome Foursome. I sent him a self addressed stamped envelope with his football card inside. He signed the card and since the gov. raised the prices of stamps at the end of the year, he added a two cent stamp to the return envelope. What a great guy!!! :):giggle:

 

[daveag.]

I've been watching the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron" of late on Saturday evenings. Gets kind of corny and far fetched at times, but good aerial footage. Some of the gun camera scenes get the theaters mixed up, a FW -190 going down in flames from Papy's guns, for example. Also of interest are the actors who went on to star in other series. Dan Blocker's son is also noted among them.

Another show is "Tour of Duty" based on the war in Viet Nam. Seems they spent more time in Saigon than in the bush. And they had civilian clothes? And Class "A" uniforms?

Bob Wright

I think of “Tour of Duty” every time I hear “Paint It Black”. One of the Stones best songs.

 

[Snake45]

I think of "Tour of Duty" every time I hear "Paint It Black". One of the Stones best songs.

Yup. Same way I think of China Beach every time I hear The Supremes' "Reflections." ;)

 

[steveodtw]

My old barber Had a Corsair model hanging from his shop ceiling. He was a mechanic who worked on them in the Pacific. That must have been some job. Probably not a lot of replacement parts coming in regularly. He passed away about 5 years ago.

 

[daveag.]

My old barber Had a Corsair model hanging from his shop ceiling. He was a mechanic who worked on them in the Pacific. That must have been some job. Probably not a lot of replacement parts coming in regularly. He passed away about 5 years ago.

No doubt Tool Room made a lot of parts.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Why do people expect heroic individuals to be nice guys? Some are some aren't, just like the rest of humanity.

But regardless of a heroes personality, it doesn't change their accomplishments.

IMHO If you are a so called Hero and in the public eye you should live to a higher standard.
Here are a few that have lived to the higher standard.

Dick Cole Doolittle's Co-Pilot on The Raid and later flew the Hump.

Bud Anderson WWII Triple Ace and also flew combat in Viet Nam.

Bob Hoover Nuff Said

Mr. SWA Herb Kelleher

And heros to many both young and old including me.:)

 

[Terry Baird]

The BSS Corsairs are well-known and semi-legendary in the Warbird community. The real Boyington and VMF-214 in the period depiced flew F4U-1 and -1A Corsairs, mostly in the so-called "tricolor" paint scheme; the BSS Corsairs were a ragtag collection of -1A/FG-1A, F4U-4, and even a very late F4U-7 (built for the French in 1952) Corsairs, all painted in overall Glossy Sea Blue, a late-war scheme, with no numbers or other markings to make the editing of the footage easier. Many of these Corsairs still exist and are airworthy.

Simon Oakland (a veteran of Bullitt) played the General, and the maintenance sergeant who called the pilots "college boy" was played by Red West, a member of Elvis's entourage/inner circle/"Memphis Mafia." He also appeared in Road House, among other movies and TV shows

One of the best parts about the show was the interaction between Micklin and Boyington. I miss Red West.

 

[Snake45]

One of the best parts about the show was the interaction between Micklin and Boyington. I miss Red West.

Me too. He had a fabulous guest shot around 1979 or 1980 on Battlestar Galactica as a "space cowboy" of some sort--I think he was a rancher or a rancher's bouncer or something of that nature. Anyway, he was a real bully and got what was coming to him. I can't remember all the details--this WAS over 40 years ago and I only saw it once. ;)

 

[Snake45]

Me too. He had a fabulous guest shot around 1979 or 1980 on Battlestar Galactica as a "space cowboy" of some sort--I think he was a rancher or a rancher's bouncer or something of that nature. Anyway, he was a real bully and got what was coming to him. I can't remember all the details--this WAS over 40 years ago and I only saw it once. ;)

The "money scene" from that episde turns out to be on U2be. The plot of the whole ep is lifted right out of a Clint Eastwood '60s-'70s Western. Hey, if yer gonna steal, steal from the BEST! ;) (y)

 

[Heliman]

My squadron CO, Captain Fritz, owned a Corsair. It was painted British racing green first time I saw it. He had it repainted to Navy specs. It was pretty cool. He was a Navy veteran of WWII. This was circa 1968.