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Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Baa Baa Black Sheep is a television
series that aired on NBC
from 1976 until 1978. Its premise was based on the experiences of United States Marine Corps
aviator Pappy Boyington
and his World War II
"Black Sheep Squadron". The series was created and produced by Stephen J. Cannell
. The opening credits 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."
during World War II
. Pappy often intercedes in altercations (disagreements/fights) at the base, but everyone seems to pull together when they are assigned missions in the air. "Pappy" likes to drink and fight a lot when not flying missions, and owns a Bull Terrier
named 'Meatball' (which he claims belongs to General Moore in "Flying Misfits", but General Moore says 'he wouldn't own an ugly mutt like that.')
The series premise was very loosely based on a portion of 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 30 when he took command of VMF-214.) Boyington, who was a 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. In the documentary film Pappy Boyington Field Robert Conrad shares personal insight about Pappy from their time together during the television series.
Popular character John "Hutch" Hutchinson (Joey Aresco) was killed off in the episode "Last One for Hutch" and replaced as chief mechanic by GySgt. Andy Micklin
(Red West
), who had joined the squadron a few episodes earlier in "Devil in the Slot".
Note: the above characters only appeared in the premiere episode, "Flying Misfits", which is sometimes broken up into a two episode viewing, or as a single 90 minute movie.
called Baa Baa Black Sheep a "war-is-swell series [aimed] at anyone who remembers World War II as a rousing, blowzy, fraternity turkey-shoot." This may have been because the pilot show was just that. However with the second show, the series got down to the serious business of fighting a war.
, the song heard at the beginning of the opening credits is actually the chorus to The Whiffenpoof Song
, written in 1909 as a parody of Rudyard Kipling
's poem Gentlemen-Rankers.
The name of the island where the real-life Black Sheep were stationed was Vella Lavella
in the Solomon Islands of the southern Pacific, known as The Slot; this was changed to Vella la Cava in the series for legal reasons. The same was done for the Rear Area Allied Command island of "Espiritu Santo
" (Espritos Marcos). The Channel Islands
off the coast of Southern California
provided an adequate substitute backdrop for flying scenes. Filming of airfield scenes was primarily done at the now-closed Indian Dunes Airport in Valencia, California
.
Some air-battle scenes were actually short clips from the 1969 film Battle of Britain (film)
, and German markings on the planes can clearly be seen. Other flying scenes pioneered the technique of mounting cameras on helmets worn by pilots, thus providing a pilot's-eye view never before seen in films featuring single-seat aircraft. Because of reflections from the Plexiglas canopies, many close-ups were shot with the canopies removed.
The Chance Vought
F4U Corsair
fighter planes were leased to Universal Studios by private owners. Many scenes showing repairs on the aircraft were filmed during actual preventative maintenance. "Japanese" aircraft used in the series were actually American planes, which had been modified to resemble Japanese planes for the film Tora! Tora! Tora!
and later purchased by collectors. The Grumman J2F Duck
float biplane belonged to legendary stunt pilot Frank Tallman
and his Tallmanz Aviation museum in Santa Ana, California
. Tallman often stated that this was his all-time favorite plane to fly, with the Corsair in a near-tie. Tallman provided or arranged for most of the aircraft used in the series.
During filming of the series, Gregory Boyington met Masajiro "Mike" Kawato, the one-time Japanese fighter pilot who claimed to have shot him down in 1943. It was later asserted that Kawato's claims were not true. Though Kawato's personnel records show that he had, in fact, been involved in the aerial battle, details that he provided of the action indicated that he had been involved in a different part of the fight.
The pilot episode was shown as a stand-alone TV movie Flying Misfits through the 1980s and 1990s.
At an aviation history symposium in 2002, members of the real VMF-214 were asked about the authenticity of the TV series. Retired Colonel Henry A. McCartney said the list of errors was too long to repeat. Boyington himself referred to the series as "...inaccuracies, hogwash, and Hollywood hokum," though he did serve as technical advisor on the show, and had a cameo appearance. A 2001 History Channel documentary depicted some of these differences in greater detail.
has released the first season in two separate DVD releases:
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series that aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from 1976 until 1978. Its premise was based on the experiences of United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
aviator Pappy Boyington
Pappy Boyington
Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was a United States Marine Corps officer who was an American fighter ace during World War II. For his heroic actions, he was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington flew initially with the American Volunteer Group in the Republic of China Air Force...
and his World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
"Black Sheep Squadron". The series was created and produced by Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen Joseph Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist and occasional actor, and the founder of Stephen J. Cannell Productions.-Early life:...
. The opening credits 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."
Plot
Greg "Pappy" Boyington is the commanding officer of VMF-214, a group of fighter pilots based in the Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Pappy often intercedes in altercations (disagreements/fights) at the base, but everyone seems to pull together when they are assigned missions in the air. "Pappy" likes to drink and fight a lot when not flying missions, and owns a Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes, and "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally fun-loving, active and clownish...
named 'Meatball' (which he claims belongs to General Moore in "Flying Misfits", but General Moore says 'he wouldn't own an ugly mutt like that.')
The series premise was very loosely based on a portion of the real-life military career of Gregory Boyington
Pappy Boyington
Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was a United States Marine Corps officer who was an American fighter ace during World War II. For his heroic actions, he was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington flew initially with the American Volunteer Group in the Republic of China Air Force...
, known as "Pappy" due to his "advanced" age compared to the younger pilots under his command. (He was 30 when he took command of VMF-214.) Boyington, who was a 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. In the documentary film Pappy Boyington Field Robert Conrad shares personal insight about Pappy from their time together during the television series.
Popular character John "Hutch" Hutchinson (Joey Aresco) was killed off in the episode "Last One for Hutch" and replaced as chief mechanic by GySgt. Andy Micklin
Andy Micklin
Andrew 'Andy' Micklin is a fictitious United States Marine Corps Master Sergeant from the Black Sheep Squadron. He was portrayed by actor Red West. The TV show is loosely based on the book by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington...
(Red West
Red West
Red West is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter.West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S...
), who had joined the squadron a few episodes earlier in "Devil in the Slot".
List of regular characters
- Maj. Gregory/Greg 'Pappy' Boyington (Pilot/Commanding Officer VMF-214) (1976–78). Played by Robert ConradRobert ConradRobert Conrad is an American actor. He is best known for his role in the 1965 CBS television series The Wild Wild West, in which he played the sophisticated Secret Service agent James T. West, and his portrayal of World War II ace Pappy Boyington in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep...
.
- Capt. James 'Jim' Gutterman (Pilot/Executive Officer) (1976–77). Played by James Whitmore Jr.
- 1st Lt/Capt. Lawrence 'Larry' Casey (Pilot/Executive Officer) (1976–78). Played by W. K. Stratton. Casey was promoted to Captain in the Season 2 episode "The 200 Pound Gorilla".
- 1st Lt. Jerome 'Jerry' Bragg (Pilot) (1976-78). Played by Dirk BlockerDirk BlockerDennis Dirk Blocker is an American actor and the son of late actor Dan Blocker, of the popular TV series, Bonanza.Dirk Blocker began appearing in American television in 1974, acting in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. at the age of sixteen...
.
- 1st Lt. Thomas Joseph 'T.J.' Wiley (Pilot) (1976–78). Played by Robert GintyRobert GintyRobert Ginty was an American movie actor, producer, scenarist, and director of movies and TV series episodes.-Early life:...
.
- 2nd Lt. Robert 'Bob' Anderson (Pilot) (1976–78). Played by John LarroquetteJohn LarroquetteJohn Edgar Bernard Larroquette, Jr. is an American film, television and Broadway actor. His roles include Dan Fielding on the series Night Court, Mike McBride in the Hallmark Channel series McBride, John Hemingway on The John Larroquette Show, and Carl Sack in Boston Legal.-Personal...
- 1st Lt. Donald 'Don' French (Pilot) (1976-78). Played by Jeff MacKayJeff MacKayJeffery Neill MacKay was an American character actor.MacKay is best remembered as Magnum's friend "Mac" on Magnum, P.I., he was also featured in recurring roles in Black Sheep Squadron, JAG, Battlestar Galactica, Airwolf, The Greatest American Hero, and Tales of the Gold...
.
- 1st Lt. Robert A. 'Bob/Bobby' Boyle (Pilot) (1976-78). Played by Larry ManettiLarry ManettiLarry Manetti is an American actor best known for his starring role as Orville "Rick" Wright on the long-running CBS television series Magnum P.I. which starred Tom Selleck as the title character. He also starred as Maj. Pappy Boyington's pilot partner, Lt. Bobby Boyle, in Baa Baa Black Sheep...
.
- 2nd Lt. Jeb Pruitt (Pilot) (1977–78). Played by Jeb Stuart AdamsJeb Stuart AdamsJeb Stuart Adams is a former actor, he comes from a family of actors including his parents Nick Adams and Carol Nugent. He gave up acting and is now a successful realtor in Ventura County, California.- Family :...
.
- Master GySgt/Warrant Officer/Capt. Andrew Andy MicklinAndy MicklinAndrew 'Andy' Micklin is a fictitious United States Marine Corps Master Sergeant from the Black Sheep Squadron. He was portrayed by actor Red West. The TV show is loosely based on the book by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington...
(Chief Mechanic) (1977–78). Played by Red WestRed WestRed West is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter.West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S...
. Micklin was promoted to Warrant Officer at the start of the episode "The 200 Pound Gorilla", and was made a temporary Captain by Boyington while sitting in the brig for punching out a major in a bar fight, resulting in his reduction in grade/rank back to Master GySgt. In the season 2 episode 'Fighting Angels', Micklin's background as a mud marine in China was referenced, and has been described by Boyington as being "part commando, part Indian tracker, and 100 percent mean."
- Sgt. John David 'Hutch' Hutchinson (Chief/Asst. Chief Mechanic) (1976–77). Played by Joey Aresco. Hutch is killed in Season 1, Episode 23 (Last One for Hutch) by a enemy strafing run during an attack on Vella La Cava.
- Col. Thomas A. Lard (Executive Officer, Espritos Marcos) (1976–78). Played by Dana ElcarDana ElcarDana Elcar was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was on the 1980s and 1990s television series MacGyver as Peter Thornton, an administrator working for the Phoenix Foundation...
. Lard is a strictly-by-the-book staff officer. A highly competent career Marine who has seen action in China, Lard is offended by Boyington's frequent disregard for regulations and policies; and the two men rarely get along personally. However, Lard sees a lot of promise in Boyington, though he doesn't admit it; and he puts aside his opinions to further the mission.
- Brig/Maj. General Thomas Moore (Commanding Officer, Esprito Marcos) (1976–78). Played by Simon OaklandSimon OaklandSimon Oakland was an American actor of stage, screen, and television.-Early life and career:Oakland was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He began his performing arts career as a musician . He began his acting career in the late 1940s...
. Moore is impressed by Boyington's initiative in "stealing" the 214th and then by the results obtained by the Black Sheep, so he keeps Lard in check as much as possible. Moore was promoted to Major General in the 2nd season episode "The 200 Pound Gorilla".
List of recurring characters
- General Claire Lee Chennault (Commander, AVG) (1976). Played by George GaynesGeorge GaynesGeorge Gaynes is a Finnish-born American actor of stage, screen and television.He may be best known as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series, and to television fans as the curmudgeonly Henry Warnimont on the NBC series Punky Brewster, in which his wife, Allyn Ann McLerie,...
. - Admiral Chester Nimitz (1976). Played by Byron MorrowByron MorrowByron Morrow was an American television and film actor, born in Chicago.His TV work ran from Peter Gunn in 1957 to Father Dowling Mysteries in 1991...
. - Admiral's Aide (Unnamed) (1976). Played by James Lough.
- Nurse (Unnamed) (1976). Played by Sharon GlessSharon GlessSharon Marguerite Gless is an American character actress of stage, film and television, who is best known for her roles as Maggie Philbin on Switch , as Sgt. Christine Cagney in the police procedural drama series Cagney & Lacey and as Debbie Novotny in the Showtime cable television series Queer...
. - Col. Mathis (1976). Played by Peter DonatPeter DonatPeter Donat is a Canadian-American actor known for his roles in American television.-Early life:Donat was born Pierre Collingwood Donat in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada, the son of Marie and Philip Ernst Donat, a landscape gardener. His uncle was British actor Robert Donat...
. - Lt. Robert 'Bob/Bobby' A. Doyle (1976). Played by Jake Mitchell. Lt. Doyle's character was replaced by actor Larry ManettiLarry ManettiLarry Manetti is an American actor best known for his starring role as Orville "Rick" Wright on the long-running CBS television series Magnum P.I. which starred Tom Selleck as the title character. He also starred as Maj. Pappy Boyington's pilot partner, Lt. Bobby Boyle, in Baa Baa Black Sheep...
during the series. - Lt. Freddy (1976). Played by Anthony Charnota.
- Huckabee (Flying Tigers Pilot) (1976). Played by Lance LeGaultLance LeGaultLance LeGault , sometimes credited as W. L. LeGault, is an American film and television actor, best known as Colonel Roderick Decker in the 1980s American television series The A-Team.-Personal life:...
. - Dr. James 'Jim' Reese (1976). Played by John LawlorJohn LawlorJohn Lawlor is an American actor. His best known roles are Supervisor Leonard Marsh on the television series Phyllis from 1976–1977, and later of Headmaster Steven Bradley on the television series The Facts of Life from 1979 to 1980....
. - Medical Lt. (Unnamed) (1976). Played by James MurtaughJames MurtaughJames Murtaugh is an American film and television actor. He is known for his rich and distinctive voice and was for years the television spokesperson for A1 Steak Sauce. Murtaugh is also a member of the Off-Broadway theater company TACT .-External links:...
. - Nurse (Unnamed) (1976). Played by Sandra KernsSandra KernsSandra Borgsmiller Kerns is an American movie and television actress who worked on television in the 1970s and 1980s before retiring to care for her family with husband Hubie Kerns Jr., a stuntman....
. - Lt. Cmdr. Delmonte (Head Nurse) (1976). Played by Janice Carroll.
Note: the above characters only appeared in the premiere episode, "Flying Misfits", which is sometimes broken up into a two episode viewing, or as a single 90 minute movie.
- Imperial Japanese Navy Capt. Tomio 'Tommy' Harachi (Pilot) (1976–78). Played by Byron ChungByron ChungByron Chung is a Korean actor who has guest-starred in several television series and mainstream film. Some of his notable roles include appearances in television shows such as Temperatures Rising, The Streets of San Francisco, The Fantastic Journey, four episodes of Baa Baa Black Sheep, The...
. - Lard's Secretary (Pamela) (1976–77). Played by Jill Jaress.
- First Commando/Capt. Ishima/Japanese Officer (1976–78). Played by Marcus Mucai.
- Maj. Red Buell (Pilot, Former Commanding Officer, VMF-214) (1976–77). Played by Charles NapierCharles Napier (actor)Charles L. Napier was an American actor, known for his portrayals of square-jawed tough guys and military types.-Early life:...
. - C-47 Pilot (unnamed) (1976–77). Played by Kin ShrinerKin ShrinerKin Shriner is an American actor, best known for playing Scott Baldwin on both daytime serials General Hospital and Port Charles .-Personal life:...
. - Japanese Sentry/First Japanese Pilot (1976–78). Played by Matsuo Uda.
- Japanese Plotter/Second Japanese Pilot (1978). Played by Michael Yama.
- Japanese Guard/First Japanese Lt. (1976–77). Played by Cory B. Shoizaki.
- Third Commando/Ensign Kira (1977). Played by James SaitoJames SaitoJames Tomio Saito is an American actor of stage, motion pictures, and television. He is best known for his physical portrayal of Shredder in the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; the character was voiced by David McCharen. Saito also appeared in films like The Devil's Advocate, Home Alone 3,...
. - Lt. Ted Carter (Pilot) (1976–77). Played by Frederick Herrick.
- Lt. Cmdr. Gladys Hope (Head Nurse) (1977). Played by Anne FrancisAnne FrancisAnne Lloyd Francis was an American actress, best known for her role in the science fiction film classic Forbidden Planet , and as the female private detective in the television series Honey West . She won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy award for her role in Honey West...
.
- Nurse (unnamed) (1977). Played by Sandra Lewlyn.
- Richards/Eddie (1977). Played by Johnny Fain.
- Tall Nurse (unnamed) (1977). Played by Jacquelyn Gaschen.
- Rouva (Coastwatcher)/Looey (1976–78). Played by Muni Zano.
- Lt. Caroline Holden (Nurse) (1977). Played by Linda Scruggs Bogart.
- Lt. Nancy Gilmore (Nurse) (1977–78). Played by Nancy Conrad. Nurse Gilmore is often seen in the company of Lt. Boyle.
- Lt. Cmdr. Dottie Dixon (Head Nurse) (1977–78). Played by Katherine CannonKatherine CannonKatherine Cannon is an American actress.She is best known for playing Donna Martin's stuck-up, racist, and cheating mother, Felice Martin, on the long-running teen series, Beverly Hills, 90210....
. Dottie Dixon was killed in action during the season 2 episode 'Fighting Angels' while defending Vella La Cava against an invasion by Japanese forces.
- Lt. Alma Peterson/Pretty Nurse/Lt. Susan Ames (1977–78). Played by Brianne LearyBrianne LearyBrianne Banigan Leary is an American actress and inventor. She was the host of The Disney Channel's Walt Disney World Inside Out and Animal Planet's Petsburgh USA....
.
- Unknown Nurse/Lt. Ellie Kovaks (Nurse) (1978). Played by Kathy McCullem. Nurse Kovaks is often seen in the company of Lt./Captain Casey.
- 2nd Commando/Japanese Lt. (1976–77). Played by Jim IshidaJim IshidaJames Susumu "Jim" Ishida is a Japanese-American character actor who has had a role in various projects over the course of his over 30 years-long career in films and television.Jim Ishida portrayed T...
.
- Japanese Mechanic/Japanese Officer (1976). Played by Dale IshimotoDale IshimotoDale Ishimoto was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born in Delta, Colorado in 1923 and was raised in Guadalupe, California.-Military service:...
.
- Japanese Capt/Submarine Commander/Japanese Admiral (1976–77). Played by Lloyd Kino.
- Doc Roberts/Sgt. Dutch Savage (1976–78). Played by John Durren.
- Sailor/Lt. Davis (1976–77). Played by Tim Haldeman.
- Navy Lt./Marine Capt. (1976–77). Played by Curtis Credel.
- Col. Tokura/Lt. Miragochi (1977). Played by Soon-Tek OhSoon-Tek OhSoon-Tek Oh |M*A*S*H]], Charlie's Angels, Airwolf, Magnum, P. I., Hawaii Five-O, Kung-Fu, Zorro, and Touched By An Angel....
.
- Lt. Samantha Green/Moore (Nurse) (1977–78). Played by Denise DuBerry. Lt. Green is the daughter of Brig./Maj. General Moore (this was established in the season 2 episode 'Forbidden Fruit').
- Sgt. Daniels/Radio Operator/Cpl. Stan Richards (Mechanic) (1977–78). Played by Steven Richmond.
Critical reviews
The day of the show's debut, The Washington PostThe Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
called Baa Baa Black Sheep a "war-is-swell series [aimed] at anyone who remembers World War II as a rousing, blowzy, fraternity turkey-shoot." This may have been because the pilot show was just that. However with the second show, the series got down to the serious business of fighting a war.
Production notes
Although the title Baa Baa Black Sheep comes from a nursery rhymeBaa, Baa, Black Sheep (nursery rhyme)
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep is an English nursery rhyme, sung to a variant of the 1761 French melody Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman. The original form of the tune is used for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the Alphabet song. The words have changed little in two and a half centuries...
, the song heard at the beginning of the opening credits is actually the chorus to The Whiffenpoof Song
The Whiffenpoofs
The Yale Whiffenpoofs are the oldest collegiate a cappella group in the United States, established in 1909. Best known for "The Whiffenpoof Song", based on a tune written by Tod Galloway and adapted with lyrics by Meade Minnigerode & George S Pomeroy , the group comprises college...
, written in 1909 as a parody of Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
's poem Gentlemen-Rankers.
The name of the island where the real-life Black Sheep were stationed was Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella
Vella Lavella is an island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies to the west of New Georgia, but is considered one of the New Georgia Group...
in the Solomon Islands of the southern Pacific, known as The Slot; this was changed to Vella la Cava in the series for legal reasons. The same was done for the Rear Area Allied Command island of "Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
" (Espritos Marcos). The Channel Islands
Channel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
off the coast of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
provided an adequate substitute backdrop for flying scenes. Filming of airfield scenes was primarily done at the now-closed Indian Dunes Airport in Valencia, California
Valencia, California
Valencia is an affluent planned community located in the City of Santa Clarita, California and Los Angeles County, California, U.S. in the northwestern corner of the Santa Clarita Valley, adjacent to Interstate 5. In 1987, it was one of the four unincorporated communities that merged to create the...
.
Some air-battle scenes were actually short clips from the 1969 film Battle of Britain (film)
Battle of Britain (film)
Battle of Britain is a 1969 Technicolor film directed by Guy Hamilton, and produced by Harry Saltzman and S. Benjamin Fisz. The film broadly relates the events of the Battle of Britain...
, and German markings on the planes can clearly be seen. Other flying scenes pioneered the technique of mounting cameras on helmets worn by pilots, thus providing a pilot's-eye view never before seen in films featuring single-seat aircraft. Because of reflections from the Plexiglas canopies, many close-ups were shot with the canopies removed.
The Chance Vought
Chance Vought
Chance Vought may refer to:*Vought, aircraft company*Chance M. Vought, founder of Vought company...
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
fighter planes were leased to Universal Studios by private owners. Many scenes showing repairs on the aircraft were filmed during actual preventative maintenance. "Japanese" aircraft used in the series were actually American planes, which had been modified to resemble Japanese planes for the film Tora! Tora! Tora!
Tora! Tora! Tora!
is a 1970 American-Japanese war film that dramatizes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, to the extent these facts were known at the time of production. The film was directed by Richard Fleischer and stars an all-star cast, including So Yamamura, E.G...
and later purchased by collectors. The Grumman J2F Duck
Grumman J2F Duck
|-Popular culture:* A J2F Duck was used in the 1971 film Murphy's War, which includes a spectacular three-minute rough water takeoff scene along with numerous flying and aerobatic sequences...
float biplane belonged to legendary stunt pilot Frank Tallman
Frank Tallman
Frank Gifford Tallman was a stunt pilot who worked in Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s.-Early life:...
and his Tallmanz Aviation museum in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
. Tallman often stated that this was his all-time favorite plane to fly, with the Corsair in a near-tie. Tallman provided or arranged for most of the aircraft used in the series.
During filming of the series, Gregory Boyington met Masajiro "Mike" Kawato, the one-time Japanese fighter pilot who claimed to have shot him down in 1943. It was later asserted that Kawato's claims were not true. Though Kawato's personnel records show that he had, in fact, been involved in the aerial battle, details that he provided of the action indicated that he had been involved in a different part of the fight.
The pilot episode was shown as a stand-alone TV movie Flying Misfits through the 1980s and 1990s.
At an aviation history symposium in 2002, members of the real VMF-214 were asked about the authenticity of the TV series. Retired Colonel Henry A. McCartney said the list of errors was too long to repeat. Boyington himself referred to the series as "...inaccuracies, hogwash, and Hollywood hokum," though he did serve as technical advisor on the show, and had a cameo appearance. A 2001 History Channel documentary depicted some of these differences in greater detail.
DVD releases
Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is the home video division of Universal Pictures...
has released the first season in two separate DVD releases:
- Baa Baa Black Sheep, Volume 1, released May 24, 2005, contains the show's two-hour pilot and first ten episodes.
- Baa Baa Black Sheep, Volume 2, released July 3, 2007, contains the remaining 12 first-season episodes.
- Baa Baa Black Sheep, Volume 3 was released in France in 2007. Both French and English sound tracks are available.
- It is unknown when Baa Baa Black Sheep, Volume 3 will be released in The United States.