I instructed on the Bulldog in the early 80s and never found the hidden brake 'chute which seemed to syphon off about half the advertised 200 horses. It was an embarrassment when out of the local patch because of the lack of any nav aids and radios that should have been in a musuem. No SSR still in 1984! I have precious few fond memories of it. The Grob buy was entirely about politics I believe. The colour scheme was a disgrace, like other points in it's introduction, given the wealth of evidence that white aeroplanes are virutally invisible in crowded Lincolnshire airspace. For more visible plastic airframes visit Barkston Heath!
The 260hp Firefly is doing a good job in Jordan and Bahrain, even despite the power loss to essential air-conditioning. All light aircraft benefit from bigger engines in my experience, and I have never had to cancel a trip due to excess sunshine or drooping wings.