Whether you're here for the dogfights or the back-alley military politics, "Ten'll Get You Five" is a classic example of why Black Sheep Squadron remains a standout of 70s television—balancing high-stakes action with the witty, often cynical humor of men trying to win a war while fighting their own bureaucracy.
: While the series often leans into the "misfit hero" trope, this episode highlights the gritty reality of the Solomon Islands campaign, where survival often depended on illicit trades and "requisitioning" supplies. [S2E6] Ten'll Get You Five
"Black Sheep Squadron" Ten'll Get You Five (TV Episode 1978) Whether you're here for the dogfights or the
With standard military supply chains in a state of collapse, Pappy is desperate to keep his planes in the air. This desperation leads him right into a trap. Harpenger cons Pappy into a high-stakes trade: a cache of much-needed whiskey for airplane oil. It seems like a classic Black Sheep "horse trade" until the oil fails during combat, putting the pilots in immediate danger. This desperation leads him right into a trap
: Fans of Robert Conrad will note that he didn't just lead the squadron on-screen; he also stepped behind the camera to direct this particular episode. Cast Highlights Robert Conrad as Maj. Greg "Pappy" Boyington Scott Colomby as Sgt. Carlos Harpenger John Larroquette as Lt. Bob Anderson Robert Ginty as Lt. T.J. Wylie Dana Elcar as Col. Lard