“The Fastest Gun” is one of the most iconic episodes in the American television series Baa Baa Black Sheep that was later broadcast as Black Sheep Squadron.
In the episode, Maj. Greg “Pappy” Boyington (played by Robert Conrad) takes Sgt. Micklin (played by Red West) for a ride on the trainer. A scene where Micklin asked “Gregg what are you flying?” and Pappy answered “AN AIRPLANE YOU IDIOT!” is a classic line from the show.
Baa Baa Black Sheep aired on NBC from September 23, 1976, until April 6, 1978 with a total of 37 episodes in two seasons. For its second season this was changed to Black Sheep Squadron as it was being mistaken for a kids’ show.
It’s based on the experiences of one of the most renowned aces of World War II, U.S. Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and his U.S. Marine VMF-214 fighter squadron dubbed as “Black Sheep Squadron.”
The show used a lot of real WWII film footage showing Vought F4U Corsair and Zeros.