Baa Baa Black Sheep was a 1970s television series based on United States Marine Corps aviator Pappy Boyington and his World War II “Black Sheep Squadron ” that aired on NBC from 1976 until 1978.
Seasons 1 & 2 are available on DVD
“Pappy Boyington is the squadron-leader of a group of fighter pilots stationed on an island in the Pacific, during World War II. Pappy often needs to intercede in altercations at the base, but everyone seems to pull together when they are assigned missions in the air.”
*7.4 stars on IMDb*!!!
The series was very loosely based on the real-life military career of Gregory Boyington, known as “Pappy” due to his “advanced” age compared to the younger pilots under his command (he was 35 when he took command of VMF-214).
The premise is misleading, in that the “Black Sheep” were not misfits or screwups. Boyington (who was technical advisor for the series) commented that this was “fiction based on reality” and that no regular character in the series except for himself actually existed, and that none were accurately portrayed.
Popular character “Hutch” (Joey Aresco) was killed off during the second season, to be replaced as chief mechanic by “Micklin” (Red West).
Here are some of the Actors who appeared on Baa Baa Black Sheep who went on to other things:
Larry Manetti – Rick on Magnum, P.I.
Jeff Mackay – Extra on Original Battlestar Galactica, Mac on Magnum, JAG (Master Chief Roberts)
W.K. Stratton – Magnum P.I. (Pilot), JAG, NCIS Pilot
John Laroquette – Night Court, West Wing
James Whitmore Jr – Magnum, P.I., Airwolf, etc
Dirk Blocker – Many TV Appearances (Father was Dan Blocker, Hoss on Bonanza)
Dana Elcar – MacGyver, Double for General Hammond on Stargate: SG-1
Robert Ginty – Many TV Appearances, Director, Artist, Aviator
Joey Aresco – TJ Hooker, Night Court, ST:TNG, Hill Street Blues, CHiPs, etc
Simon Oakland – Many TV Appearances
Red West – Former Bodyguard to Elvis (along with his brothers), many TV appearances