Item Description
Original Items: Only One Lot of 6 Available. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 (VMFA-214) is a United States Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL jets. It is currently in the process of transitioning from its fleet of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and is under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
The squadron is best known as the Black Sheep of World War II fame and for one of its commanding officers, Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, whose memoirs also inspired the 1970s television show Baa Baa Black Sheep, later syndicated as Black Sheep Squadron, which dramatized the squadron's exploits during the war.
Baa Baa Black Sheep (later syndicated as Black Sheep Squadron) is an American television series that aired on NBC from September 23, 1976, until April 6, 1978. It was part period military drama, part comedy. In the final seven episodes, the character list was revamped, dropping some squadron pilots, adding a 16-year-old pilot and four nurses.
Its original premise was based on the experiences of United States Marine Corps aviator Greg 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."
The USAAF Pneumatic Life Vest - affectionately dubbed the "MaeWest" vest (after the amply endowed film star) - was a pneumatic life vest that saved the lives of thousands of pilots during WWII. The yellow rubber vest inflated using CO2 cartridges, with a back-up manual inflation tube.
The MaeWest was worn by fighter pilots, bomber crew and even transport crews. Whether it was flying over the English Channel, the Adriatic or Mediterranean, up the slot in the Solomons or across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, the MaeWest was a life preserver.
The vests vary in condition some complete and some without complete straps. There are no C02 cartridges present and they all have somewhat visible stamps present with dates varying from 1944-45.
The vest are named to the following characters:
- Second Lieutenant Jeb Pruitt (Pilot): Played by actor Jeb Stuart Adams in 1978. Jeb Stuart Adams was born on April 10, 1961 in Hollywood, California, USA. He is known for Flowers in the Attic (1987), The Goonies (1985) and To Live and Die in L.A. (1985).
- Second Lieutenant Robert "Bob" Anderson (Pilot): Played by John Larroquette who left the show after the 6th episode of the 2nd season. He is known for his starring roles in the NBC military drama series Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978), the NBC sitcom Night Court (1984–1992; for which he received four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series), the NBC sitcom The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996), the David E. Kelley legal drama series The Practice (1997-2002), the ABC legal comedy-drama series Boston Legal (2004–2008), and the TNT series The Librarians (2014–2018).
- First Lieutenant Donald "Don" French (Pilot): Played by Jeff MacKay. MacKay played Gordie Masterson, one of the shrunken protagonists, on the fantasy adventure series Dr. Shrinker, a segment of the Saturday morning children's TV show The Krofft Supershow.
He may be best remembered as Magnum's friend Mac on Magnum, P.I., but he was also featured in recurring roles in Baa Baa Black Sheep, as First Lieutenant Donald "Don" French, JAG, Battlestar Galactica, Airwolf, The Greatest American Hero and Tales of the Gold Monkey. He also voiced Fireflight in Transformers.
- First Lieutenant Jerome "Jerry" Bragg (Pilot): Played by Dirk Blocker. Blocker began appearing on American television in 1974, acting in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. at the age of 16. He has had guest roles in ER; Little House on the Prairie; The X-Files; Beverly Hills, 90210; Walker, Texas Ranger; Night Court; Murder, She Wrote; M*A*S*H; Doogie Howser, M.D.; Matlock; Quantum Leap and CHiPs. At age 19, he was cast in the role of 1st Lt. Jerry Bragg on the military drama Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978). He did not have another regular TV series role until being cast in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021).
- First Lieutenant/Captain Lawrence "Larry" Casey (Pilot/Executive Officer): Played by W. K. Stratton. Casey was promoted to the rank of Marine Captain in the Season 2 episode "The 200 Pound Gorilla." He is known for playing the role of "Lt. Lawrence Casey" in the American television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. Stratton is also known for playing the recurring role of "Cmdr. Ted Lindsey" in 14 episodes of the American legal drama television series JAG.
Stratton played the role of "Lawrence 'Larry' Stanton III" in three episodes of the science fiction television series Quantum Leap from 1992. He also starred in the comedy-drama television series Tequila and Bonetti. Stratton guest-starred in television programs including The Love Boat, The Rockford Files, Airwolf, The Incredible Hulk, The A-Team, Battlestar Galactica, The Rookies, Murder, She Wrote, Tales of the Gold Monkey, Magnum, P.I., Lou Grant and Hill Street Blues. He also appeared in a few films.
The 6th and final vest has a name but for a character who does not appear on the cast list and could very well be of a pilot who served during WWII!
This is a very unique set of Mae West Vest, all original war time production that continued their lives as film props!
Comes more than ready for display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
