Aviation historian Stephen Chapis will appear at Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, for a special presentation of his new book, POOR LITTLE LAMBS: The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story, a richly detailed chronicle of the hit 1970s NBC television series that celebrated the courage and camaraderie of WWII Marine aviators.
This live event continues Airbase Georgia’s mission to preserve and share the legacy of the Greatest Generation and the men who fought the air war in the Pacific. The popular series Baa Baa Black Sheep (later Black Sheep Squadron) introduced millions of viewers to the rugged Vought F4U Corsair, whose distinctive gull-wing design and combat record made it one of WWII’s most iconic fighters. Through the show’s storytelling and technical realism, a new generation discovered the heroism of Marine aviators and the aircraft that carried them to victory.
Celebrating Pop Culture that Preserved History
“Baa Baa Black Sheep wasn’t just television entertainment, it reignited public fascination with WWII aviation at a time when warbirds were disappearing from the skies,” said Airbase leader Joel Perkins. “By celebrating the Corsair and the real pilots behind it, the series helped ensure that the stories of the Pacific war continued to inspire future generations.”
Author Stephen Chapis will share:
- Personal anecdotes from cast and crew interviews
- Rare behind-the-scenes photos and film clips
- Insights from his two-decade research journey
Historic Aircraft on Display
To bring the story to life, the event will feature a Vought F4U Corsair that appeared in the original television production, now owned by collector Bob Bull, alongside a replica Nakajima B5N2 “Kate”, operated by CAF member Alan Armstrong. Both aircraft helped recreate the Pacific theater on screen.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: CAF Airbase Georgia Museum, Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field, Peachtree City, Ga.
About Stephen Chapis
Stephen “Chappie” Chapis is a noted aviation writer and historian with more than 140 published articles in Warbird Digest, Vintage Aviation News, and other aviation media. His first book, Allied Jet Killers of World War II, appeared in 2017. Poor Little Lambs represents more than fifteen years of research, interviews, and collecting rare production materials, culminating in the definitive history of a cult-classic series that continues to connect audiences with the legacy of WWII aviation heroes