Scottish Aviation Bulldog

Last updated

Bulldog
Shoreham Airshow 2012 (7945666372).jpg
Scottish Aviation Bulldog, arriving at Shoreham Airshow 2012
General information
TypeBasic trainer with aerobatic capability
Manufacturer Beagle Aircraft/Scottish Aviation
StatusActive
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built328
History
Manufactured1969–1982
Introduction date1971
First flight19 May 1969
Developed from Beagle Pup

The Scottish Aviation Bulldog is a British two-seat side-by-side (with optional third seat) training aircraft designed by Beagle Aircraft as the B.125 Bulldog.

Contents

The prototype Bulldog flew on 19 May 1969 at Shoreham Airport. The first order for the type was for 78 from the Swedish Air Board. Before any production aircraft were built, Beagle Aircraft ceased trading and the production rights for the aircraft, with the Swedish order, were taken over by Scottish Aviation (Bulldog) Limited. All subsequent aircraft were built at Prestwick Airport by Scottish Aviation, and later by British Aerospace.

Operational history

Sweden

The first 58 aircraft (known as the SK 61A and SK 61B) were delivered to the Swedish Air Force in 1971. Twenty more aircraft were delivered to the Swedish Army as FPL 61C in 1972, although these were transferred to the Air Force in 1989 as SK 61C. By 2001 all the Swedish aircraft had been withdrawn from military service. 26 were bought in 2004 by the Hungarian company AVIA-Rent.

United Kingdom

Manchester University Air Squadron Bulldog at RAF Woodvale in 1983 SAL Bulldog T.1 XX616 '3' Mcr UAS WVL 12.03.83 edited-3.jpg
Manchester University Air Squadron Bulldog at RAF Woodvale in 1983

The largest customer was the Royal Air Force, which placed an order for 130 Bulldogs in 1972, entering service as the Bulldog T.1 in 1975. It was used by the Royal Air Force as a basic trainer, in particular as the standard aircraft of the University Air Squadrons and, later, Air Experience Flights, providing flying training. The aircraft was also used by the Royal Navy for Elementary Flying Training (EFT) at RAF Topcliffe.

The RAF sold off its remaining Bulldog trainers in 2001 as general aviation light aircraft for a low price. They were replaced by the Grob Tutor.

Variants

The following Bulldog models were produced: [1] [2]

The prototype Bulldog G-AXEH in the National Museum of Flight Museum of Flight Beagle B125 Bulldog.jpg
The prototype Bulldog G-AXEH in the National Museum of Flight
Bulldog Series 1
One prototype built by Beagle Aircraft (G-AXEH), one built by Scottish Aviation; now in the collection of the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian.
Bulldog Series 100
The Scottish Aviation BullFinch taking off at Farnborough Scottish Aviation BullFinch (Bull dog series 200) - Farnborough.jpg
The Scottish Aviation BullFinch taking off at Farnborough
Bulldog Series 200
Four-seat variant with retractable undercarriage. One prototype built (G-BDOG). Also known as the Bullfinch in civilian guise.

Operators

Privately owned Scottish Aviation Bulldog Series 120, formerly of the Botswana Air Force and in their colours, at an English air rally in 2005 Bulldog g-bhzr arp.jpg
Privately owned Scottish Aviation Bulldog Series 120, formerly of the Botswana Air Force and in their colours, at an English air rally in 2005
Former Royal Jordanian Air Force Bulldog now operated by the British Disabled Flying Association (now trading as Aerobility) on display at Farnborough Airshow 2008 Bulldog-G-DISA.jpg
Former Royal Jordanian Air Force Bulldog now operated by the British Disabled Flying Association (now trading as Aerobility) on display at Farnborough Airshow 2008
Bulldog of the Maltese Air Wing in 2003 Maltese Air Force Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1 JPTA.jpg
Bulldog of the Maltese Air Wing in 2003

Military operators

Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Operators of the Bulldog. Bulldog operators.png
Operators of the Bulldog.

Former military operators

Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong
Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg  Malaysia
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Former civil operators

Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden

Aircraft on display

United Kingdom

Specifications (Bulldog Series 120)

Data from Bulldog Series 120 Owner's Manual [9]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. Johan Visschedijk (26 April 2004). "History Brief: Scottish Aviation Bulldog". 1000aircraftphotos.com. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  2. Keith Halliday (6 December 2005). "Scottish Aviation Bulldog Production List". Airbase. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  3. "Moi Forces Academy gifted a Bulldog trainer". 4 April 2024.
  4. Aeroflight (27 May 2016). "Details of Bulldog Service in Maltese Armed Forces". Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  5. Ellis 2016, p. 312
  6. 1 2 Ellis 2016, p. 302
  7. Ellis 2016, p. 186
  8. Ellis 2016, p. 193
  9. Scottish Aviation Limited 1973, p. 2-1
  10. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  11. G-BZME Flying Group. "About the Scottish Aviation Bulldog-XX698" . Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  12. What if Modellers (30 March 2018). "Forum post with pictures of Bulldog fitted with Matra Pods".

Scottish Aviation Bulldog Cockpit Flying Video

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