Scottish Aviation Bulldog

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bulldog is a 2 or 3-seat side-by-side training aircraft designed by Beagle Aircraft and after the demise of the company was built by Scottish Aviation.

The prototype Bulldog first flew on 19 May 1969 at Shoreham Airport. The first order for the type was for 78 from the Swedish Air Board. Before any other aircraft were built the company failed and the order was taken over by Scottish Aviation (Bulldog) Limited. All subsequent aircraft were built by Scottish Aviation at Prestwick Airport.

Contents 1 Sweden 2 United Kingdom 3 Variants 4 Military Operators 5 Specifications (Bulldog Series 120)

[edit] Sweden

The first 58 aircraft (known as the SK 61A and SK 61B) was delivered to the Swedish Air Force in 1971. Twenty more aircraft were delivered to the Swedish Army as SK 61C in 1972, although these were transferred to the Air Force in 1989. By 2001 all the Swedish aircraft had been withdrawn from Military service.

[edit] United Kingdom

The largest customer was the Royal Air Force, which placed an order for 130 Bulldogs in 1972 (as the Bulldog T1). It was used extensively by the Royal Air Force as a basic trainer, in particular being the standard aircraft of the University Air Squadrons for many years.

The RAF sold off all of its remaining Bulldog trainers in 2001 as general aviation light aircraft for a very low price. The model's excellent visibility, robustness and aerobatic capability meant that they were enthusiastically taken up.

[edit] Variants

• Bulldog Series 100 :
  • Model 101 : Export model for Sweden. Swedish military designation SK 61.
  • Model 102 : Export model for Kenya.
  • Model 103 : Export model for Malaysia.
  • Model 104 : The original company designation for the Bulldog T.Mk 1.
• Bulldog Series 120 :
  • Model 121 : Two-seat primary trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force. RAF designation Bulldog T.Mk 1.
  • Model 122 : Export model for Ghana.
  • Model 122A : Export model for Ghana.
  • Model 123 : Export model for Nigeria.
  • Mosel 124 : Company demonstrator.
  • Model 125 : Export model for Jordan.
  • Model 126 : Export model for Lebanon.
  • Model 127 : Export model for Kenya.
  • Model 128 : Export model for Hong Kong.
  • Model 129 : One aircraft for a civil customer in Venezuela.
  • Model 130 : Export model for Botswana.
• Bulldog Series 200 : Prototype.

[edit] Military Operators

• Botswana, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta (Ex-RAF aircraft), Nigeria, Sweden, United Kingdom,

[edit] Specifications (Bulldog Series 120)

Data from Bulldog & Beagle Pup Club,^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: student, instructor
• Length: 7.08 m (23 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 10.11 m (33 ft 2 in)
• Height: 2.73 m (8 ft 11.5 in)
• Wing area: 12.00 m² (129.45 ft²)
• Empty weight: 649 kg (1,430 lb)
• Useful load: 417 kg (920 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,066 kg (2,350 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Lycoming IO-360-A 1 B6 , ()

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 342 km/h (185 knots)
• Maximum speed: 240 km/h (130 knots)
• Service ceiling: (10,000ft)
• Wing loading: (18.2 lb/ft²)

Armament

Note: all armament is optional.

• 640lbs bomb load
• Wingtip mounted rockets

These armaments were never used in RAF service although some weapons training was done on the Bulldog trainers in Sweden. Although hardpoints are available, there is no provision for weapons launch control systems in the Bulldog, any such system would have to be custom fitted. For an explanation of the units and abbreviations in this list, please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/Units key.