Vintage Muscle Men: 2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Streaker Day III

It's streaker day again, and we start with a lanky guy at a sporting event.

Blackpool '75

This guy got arrested in Blackpool, England in 1975.

Large Crowd

There was a large crowd on hand when this fellow streaked a college campus.

Discussion

I think this player is amused by a streaker at a soccer match. Oh, wait. Maybe it was a rugby match. Then again, if it were rugby, the player would have been naked, too.

Runner

I'd really like a better look at this runner.

Cops Again

Here's another one being led off by the police. Sometimes

the cops looked the other way, but not always.

Cricket

Everyone seems to be having a good time at this cricket match.

Modern

The last time I did a streaker series, several of you admired this modern streaker.

So I thought I'd give you a completely different viewpoint this time.

Winter Streak

These guys are really hard core. That's snow on the ground.

Not quite covered

Here's another one involving cops, only this time everyone seems to be having fun,

even the cop who thinks he has the streaker's package covered, but doesn't quite.

Friday, November 13, 2026

AMG Quarterly

Today is our quarterly AMG series, and we start with Paul Hawksworth.

Hank Evans

Some of you won't like the oil, but I find this shot of Hank Evans to be artistic.

John Winship

Even in a posing strap, John Winship is always impressive.

Disclosure: I removed yellowing from this image.

Mike Hudson

This photo of Mike Hudson against what looks like a crushed

velvet backgrouns was sent to me by Brian E.

Thanks, Brian!

Jock Peterman

This amazing AMG photo of Jock Peterman was placed on page 34 of a coffee table book

of classic era physique photographs. I'm guessing that's a stage name.

Does anyone have more photos of this guy?

Alan Arnold

The very hairy Alan Arnold is giving side eyes to his right

in this photo made in the infamous AMG shower.

John Loser

I hope that John Loser's name was pronounced "low-zer" and not the usual way.

In any case, I find myself quite taken with this picture.

Dave Lancaster

I don't think I've ever seen a photo of Dave Lancaster that I didn't like,

and this one taken on Mt. Miser is no exception.

Walter Fife

Bob Mizer's mother's crystal punchbowl set plays

prominently in this shot of Walter Fife.

Eugene Meyer

We end the set with Eugene "Gene" Meyer who is best known for work with Kovert of Hollywood.

I did, however, find this photo in trunks credited to AMG on a reputable website.

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Playgirl in the Great Wide Open

When we think of Playgirl, the first thing that comes to mind is often its trademark sultry orange hued interior scenes. Today, however, we look at Playgirl out in the great wide open spaces.

We start with Steve Rally from September of 1984.

December 1974

I can't find a name for this skiier doing a "Daffy" in the December, 1974 issue of Playgirl.

Greg Hamilton

Greg Hamilton engaged in some cultural appropriation in June of 1976.

I guess nobody at Playgirl thought about such things at that point.

John Coletti

Loyal viewer and frequent commentator 2nd Wave sent

me this shot of John Coletti from July of 1974.

Thanks, 2W!

Paul Keith

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Jim Brown Reprise

I posted this 1974 photo of football great Jim Brown over six years ago,

but I don't too think many of you will mind seeing it again.

Joseph Spondike

Joseph Spondike cavorted on a sand dune in the May issue of 1981.

Geof Helrich

It was September of 1981 when this Playgirl photo of Geoff Helrich was published.

Al Cavuoto

This laid back picture of Al Cavuoto is probably from 1975 or 1976.

Jerry Pedersoli

Finishing the Playgirl great wide open set with Jerry Pedersoli photographed in March, 1980.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Veterans Day, 2026 - The Dogs of War

I'm taking a different approach to Veterans Day this year by honoring man's best friend . . .

and his enemy's worst nightmare. Dogs went to war from the earliest time any records

of such were kept. Their acute senses, intense loyalty, intelligence, and tenacity make

them fine soldiers. And we mustn't overlook the usefulness of their affectionate

friendship in making soldiers' and sailors' lives more tolerable under difficult

circumstances. So today we will look at those heroes, helpers,

and devoted friends, the dogs who went to war.

Spaniel

These World War II African-American troops had a beautiful spaniel as a mascot.

The photo is by David E. Scherman of LIFE.

Gander was a quintessentially Canadian dog, the Newfoundland, who began life as a family pet named Pal. Shortly after Canada entered World War II, Pal accidentally injured a small child. Fearing he would be put down as a result, his family offered him for National Service. He was attached to the Royal Rifle Regiment at Gander, Newfoundland, and he was renamed after the location. We see him above marching (in step) with the regimental band.

The Royal Rifle Regiment was sent to defend Hong Kong in the fall of 1941,

and above we see Gander and some buddies on the ship that took them there.

When the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941, Gander joined in the defense of Hong Kong Island. On three documented occasions, he helped his human comrades in repelling Japanese attacks. During the first two assaults, he joined in counterattacks and defended groups of wounded soldiers. In the final attack, he sacrificed himself by taking an enemy grenade in his mouth and carrying it away from seven Canadians who would have been killed or badly wounded otherwise. After the battle Japanese interrogators asked prisoners if Canada was training large numbers of dogs like Gander. He was posthumously awarded the canine equivalent of the Victoria Cross, and his medal is in a place of honor at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Gander, at the inistence of the battle's survivors, is officially listed among the 1,975 individuals killed there.

The artwork above is by Anne Mainman, and below, I'm posting the Red Ensign,

the flag that Gander and so many other brave Canadians fought and died for.

Sailors' Friends

Dogs have been going to sea as long as there have been ships. In wartime,

they become mascots as well as a comfort to sailors far from home.

The sailor above has made a life jacket for his puppy.

This British sailor has a young Border Collie for a friend.

Being cute is hard work, so puppies need their rest.

Chips, an American Hero

In March, 1942 a call went out for Americans to volunteer their dogs for war service. The Wren Family of Pleasantville, New York answered the call, and their family pet Chips was sent to the U.S. Army. His departure is shown above. After training, Chips was assigned to work with Private John P. Rowell, and he served in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. Chips' first brush with fame came when he was guard dog at the Casablanca Conference between Roosevelt and Churchill.

The photo above was taken near an Italian bunker that Chips caused to surrender on July 10, 1943. After machine gunners wounded some soldiers in Chips' group, he broke loose from his handler and jumped through the narrow opening to the bunker. In so doing, he knocked over the machine gun and got hold of a gunner by the neck, causing the entire gun crew to surrender. Later that day, he joined in the capture of an additional ten prisoners.

General Eisenhower himself (at left above) recognized Chips' bravery

and officially made him a Private, First Class.

Good dogs deserve rewards, and Chips didn't just get an occasional doughnut. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross. It was later decided that dogs could not receive medals, but Chips was allowed to keep his.

At the end of the war, Chips was returned to a joyful Wren Family. Although he isn't in the picture above, it shows the "Return to Civilian Life" retraining program used to make war dogs suitable to be family pets once again. Chips lived out his days in peace with his loving family.