hobbit1983
16th Jan 2007, 10:15
I found this on a page about the SA Bulldog, and was wondering if anyone out there could shed some light;
From the Bulldog 120 a four-seat sports and touring aircraft was developed, intended for the civil market, known as the Bullfinch. The prototype (G-BDOG c/n BH200-381) was flown for the first time by chief test pilot John Blair on August 20, 1976. The military version, the Bulldog Series 200, was intended to complement the fixed-gear Bulldog 120. Within a month after the maiden flight the first sale of a single aircraft was announced, but the company was not successful in finding further customers, either civil or military. In 1977 Scottish Aviation was taken up in British Aerospace and the Bullfinch was subsequently cancelled.
Compared to the Bulldog Series 120 the Bullfinch was 1 ft 8 in (50.8 cm) longer, had a 9.3 in (24.6 cm) wider span, and a retractable landing gear. The enlarged and redesigned cabin provided a full four-seat accommodation and was fitted with dual controls. The aircraft had full-aerobatic capabilities and was offered for the military roles with the same underwing hard-points of the Bulldog Series 120.
As I understand it, G-BDOG is still flying, and I’ve managed to find some photos of it. However, it looks as though it may have had it’s retractable gear (visible in earlier photos) replaced with a fixed set?
Interesting to note that Grob seem to have followed this path with their training aircraft series; it's a pity IMHO that this aircraft never made it that far.
Searches on “G-BDOG” & "Bullfinch" came up only passing references; anyone out there know anything more?
Thanks
From the Bulldog 120 a four-seat sports and touring aircraft was developed, intended for the civil market, known as the Bullfinch. The prototype (G-BDOG c/n BH200-381) was flown for the first time by chief test pilot John Blair on August 20, 1976. The military version, the Bulldog Series 200, was intended to complement the fixed-gear Bulldog 120. Within a month after the maiden flight the first sale of a single aircraft was announced, but the company was not successful in finding further customers, either civil or military. In 1977 Scottish Aviation was taken up in British Aerospace and the Bullfinch was subsequently cancelled.
Compared to the Bulldog Series 120 the Bullfinch was 1 ft 8 in (50.8 cm) longer, had a 9.3 in (24.6 cm) wider span, and a retractable landing gear. The enlarged and redesigned cabin provided a full four-seat accommodation and was fitted with dual controls. The aircraft had full-aerobatic capabilities and was offered for the military roles with the same underwing hard-points of the Bulldog Series 120.
As I understand it, G-BDOG is still flying, and I’ve managed to find some photos of it. However, it looks as though it may have had it’s retractable gear (visible in earlier photos) replaced with a fixed set?
Interesting to note that Grob seem to have followed this path with their training aircraft series; it's a pity IMHO that this aircraft never made it that far.
Searches on “G-BDOG” & "Bullfinch" came up only passing references; anyone out there know anything more?
Thanks