RAF Bulldog XX546 ULAS

[Big Sand]

Hi Guy's & Gals,
I am the present custodian of XX546 (airframe 03) an RAF Bulldog from London University Air Squadron. She's a delightful little aircraft and is a regular static display aircraft on many UK air displays. I would like to restore her to her original squadron markings if possible and would greatly appreciate any old photos and history of her whilst in service with London University Air Squadron.

Whilst I am an ex University of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron pilot (47 Entry) myself. I am proud to be the custodian of this lovely little aircraft. Like me I am sure may of us on PPune can remember our first 'sector recces' in a Bulldog. What a delightful little aircraft they were. There are more than 60 currently flying on the UK Civil Reg with owners keen to maintain them for the future.

Please help me to identify her original squadron markings so I can have her returned to her original livery.

Many thanks

Big Sand....................:ok:

[Jackonicko]

Ah, good old 546!

In my logbook a few times.

In the earliest days, the ULAS Bulldogs had red prop spinners, and a squadron badge (the book superimposed on a red cross inside a black edged shield) on the battery cover on the starboard side only.

http://www.xx554.com/photo_gallery/xx554abingdon3June1976.jpg

By the time I was on ULAS (1979) they had a black/white spinner and the same badge.

Air-Britain : Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1 (http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1089176)

Some time after 1982 the red first aid cross turned green, and the badge changed to the full crest on a black rectangle. This was applied on both sides. The fin flash was changed to a sloping one, and the underwing serials disappeared.

Mad Dog Flying Group (http://www.xx554.com/)

[BEagle]

XX546 was 'my' aircraft at ULAS from November 1989 until I left in December 1992.

Definitely one of the nicest aeroplanes in the ULAS fleet - she never let me down or caused a moment's concern.

When I came back from a 6-month holiday flying VC10Ks in Gulf War 1, I put a little Saudi Arabia sticker under my name on her side. It stayed for quite a while until the maintenance supervisor raised a job card to 'remove non-standard marking from starboard fuselage'. Miserable old git that he was!!

I took her to Cambridge in April 1990 for her avionics upgrade; that was an interesting trip! I was in close formation with another QFI leading; as we usually did that trip at 2000 ft, I was somewhat surprised to note the height he'd climbed to - then he couldn't find the aerodrome at Cambridge. So I had to ease out, take a quick look, tell him and get back into formation.

After we landed, I discovered that he didn't have the airways marked on his map - and had blissfully led us through the Luton CTA stubs without clearance...:ooh:

I'm glad that 546 is being looked after well - she always flew very nicely and had a smooth engine and well-balanced prop. I must have flown several hundred hours in her and sent many students on their first solos in her!

[SA120]

Hi we have 2 Bulldogs and are involved in a third. 2 flying one is a spare aircraft. Reg's XX694(not ours) XX695(likely the best bulldog in the country) XX711 stored and a spare.

We have being continually upgrading and restoring XX695 since she came to us from Auction and have completed a back to bare metal strip and re paint to exactly replicate the original designs which we have the blue prints for from the military and also all decal specs along with colour codes etc etc. Our Bulldog has its own Kennel at Fishburn (internationa) Airfield and you are welcome to view. pm me for any information we can help with these are fantastic aircraft albeit not the cheapest to own.

Any history on XX695 would always be welcome we know this was with Northumbria University Air Squadron and is also the aircraft painted on the bar at Leeming. If any body has any info or memorable flights in her we would love to hear the story to continue our document of history for the aircraft.

Cheers CM

[Talk Reaction]

Well Beagle, what a great wingman you are!!
:D

[BEagle]

CLOSE formation, if you read the post......:ugh:

Which means looking at the references, with the odd quick look at the Ts & Ps - most certainly not looking at a map!

Although it might be different in those horrible clattering things, I guess?

Anyway, XX546 was a great little aeroplane and I'm glad that she's being well cared for still.

[Talk Reaction]

Bit of a bite, nonetheless I read close, just thought you oughta have rough idea where you were and let the leader know he was approaching airways rather rather than debriefing him on bonging them ;)

[BEagle]

At the risk of thread drift, I did give him a couple of nudges about Luton, but he didn't do anything about it....

Some UAS QFIs would be almost completely lost if they went outside the 'local flying area' - or went somewhere other than a 'standard navigation route'.....:hmm:

When I first went to ULAS, the CFI told me that the 'local flying area' was for solo students - if you needed to go spinning or something and the weather was clearer further to the north, for example, then just go there and get the job done.

Some QFIs found that all TFD though - and could barely find their own ar$eholes without a mirror, let alone find their way around the wilderness of British West Oxfordshire....:rolleyes:

Probably because they were too accustomed to having a navigator?

[Talk Reaction]

Fair e'nuff. Couldn't help fishing - good sport! ;)

[yoyonow]

What a fantastic story Beagle. Really, perhaps you could work on it and go on the after dinner speaking circuit. Were you involved in GW I, I had no idea!!

I can only assume that with your impeccable record in the RAF, more OCUs than the rest of us put together and the Pablo Mason approach to crew/flight loyalty you would be quite the raconteur

[BEagle]

Were you involved in GW I, I had no idea!!

At least I wasn't 'left at home with the wives...... but very proud watching CNN.'......:sad:

Look, this thread started out about XX546. So why do you find the need to send it down the pan with childish personal insults as is increasingly becoming the case with more and more PPRuNe threads.

[yoyonow]

Quod erat demonstrandum.

[*Zwitter*]

Did they all come from auction with rather high fatigue index figures?

A friend is after getting hold of one to restore and I wondered if anyone knew anything about this or maybe some other pitfalls, or things to watch out for in Bulldog world?

Cheers
Zwit

[SirToppamHat]

yoyonow

Are you related to AIDU perchance?

STH

[BEagle]

Zwitter, there was a recent thread on the Private Flying forum about a 'dog with an expensive engine snag:

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/363355-sad-bulldog-engine-any-ideas-sourcing-better-one.html

Also, see Beagle Pup & Bulldog Club (http://www.beaglepupandbulldogclub.org/) . They can probably answer any questions you might have.

[hippocrates]

Just checked my logbook. Flew several hours in this beautiful aircraft, including my first solo circuit consolidation....she survived 6 of my landings which was no mean feat!
It would appear that BEagle was one of my QFI's:}
Look after her!
Is there a ULAS in the house......

[BEagle]

You bet your sweet ar$e there is!!

Where did you do that trip?

[hippocrates]

July 10th 1992 departed dual from Benson but probably solo out of Abingdon.:ok:

[Big Sand]

Zwit,
When the ex RAF aircraft came onto the Civil Reg there was a mixed bag of airframe life's. Not all were of a high F.I. Much is misunderstood about the Bulldog F.I life. In essence if you have a fatigue meter fitted then you can fly the aircraft until F.I 114.0. At that point you would need to get a spar mod done.

If you are thinking about buying and ex Swedish Airforce SK61 Bulldog that has not had a fatigue meter fitted then you have up to 5,000 hrs total airframe time before the aircraft is out of life. :{

In 'normal' ownership doing G.H, occasional 'gentleman's aeros' and moderate circuits I would think you will be doing around 0.6 F.I per year. In service this figure was higher simply due to the amount they were flown and more aero sorties.

Picking up a nice aircraft does take time and suggest calling De Havilland Support at Duxford if you want help with a pre purchase inspection.

Owning is not for the faint hearted, there are a lot of lifed parts that need replaced. That said they are still under valued and you have to think what else you can buy that's as capable for that money.

All the best

Big Sand

[BEagle]

hippocrates, it couldn't have been Abingdon as we flew the aircraft out to Benson on 2Friday 6 June 1992, when we sadly left to set up shop at Benson...:{

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Internet/zxzxz.jpg
I see that on Friday 10 July 1992 that I did only 3 trips in XX546 / #03. GH with Jez H****s first thing, Circuit consol. with Off Cdt (P) K*****w next, then PFLs with Off Cdt (P) S******d in the afternoon. After which you lot most likely repaired to the mess for a bitter lemon or two....:hmm: Or perhaps something slightly stronger?

Yes, they were the good old days. But Summer Camps down at St.Mawgan were even more fun.

Gone, all gone now. The RAF can't afford UAS Summer Camps and in any case, there isn't any room at the few RAF aerodromes which are still in existence.

When I was at ULAS as a student, we flew from RAF White Waltham and had Summer Camps at RAF Thorney Island, RAF Marham, RAF Newton and RAF Abingdon; our maintenance was done at RAF West Malling. At Thorney Island we flew circuits at RAF Tangmere and at Marham we did them at RAF Watton.

Of that lot, only Marham is still a military aerodrome....:(

We had joy
We had fun

We had seasons in the sun;
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone...........:{

Glad that you have the same fond memories of 546 as I do!

[Big Sand]

Jackonicko,
That's for your response and the links. Looks like you guy's are having fun at Shoreham. If you have a close up of the ULAS ensignia it would be very much appreciated.

Were you guy's part of the formation we did at Shoreham to mark the 40th Anniversary of the first Beagle Pup flight? :ok:

All the best


Big Sand

[hippocrates]

BEagle your log book is correct!
PM incoming.

[AIRCRAFTSNAPPER]

Trying to live up to my ID, photo of your bulldog at Abingdon in 1982 is available if you send me your email address

[*Zwitter*]

Big Sand and BEagle, thanks for the info and links - I've passed it on. I hope my chum gets one as I'll be in line for a trip or two!

Regards
Zwit

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

Big Sand,

Whilst I admire your concern for your aircraft, I cannot believe that you started a thread that allowed all sorts of 'war stories' from the second division of UAS'!

In utrumque paratus

Duncs:ok:

[ACW599]

>Whilst I admire your concern for your aircraft, I cannot believe that you started a thread that allowed all sorts of 'war stories' from the second division of UAS'!<

Absolutely. Who or what is or was ULAS?

There's only one UAS. Ar esgyll dysg.

[Big Sand]

Duncan D,
Good to hear from you mate. My sincere apologies for this thread. Pity, I simply couldn't find an old UGSAS Bulldog around although I did see XX611 at Shoreham last year and she was looking in good order.

Flying an ex ULAS aircraft I know that's definately a 'Gschneiderable offence' !!:yuk:

All the best:ok:


Big Sand

[Big Sand]

ACW599,
Sounds like your also a veteran of 'Grumbles Den' ? Indeed there is only one proper UAS and the 'Gschneider is aparently alive and still operating to this day'.

All the very best


Big Sand

[Legalapproach]

ACW599

:ok:

[geniculate]

I've found an airframe 03. Is this the one yours?

Taken at RAF Abingdon, Easter camp '92. The aircraft in the background may jog a few memories as well.


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ADwn5BIGnC0/ScazCPK-7WI/AAAAAAAAAIc/GflPzGj8Mx4/Image0263.JPG

[StopStart]

It would seem that I last flew XX546 on 23 Feb 1990 under the mailed fist of one Flt Lt BEagle... Trip 52 - whatever that was; probably some appalling aerobatics nonsense :}

[BEagle]

Geniculate, that photo doesn't show - just a little red cross... But XX546 was definitely 'fleet 03' during Easter Camp 1992!

Given that 23 Feb 1990 was a Friday, doubtless you would have been as fresh as a daisy and all ready to commit aero-bation in my little aeroplane, Stoppers!

Actually, we flew twice that day. Formation SCT first thing (if I recall correctly, we had to knock it off after the-Rhodesian -who-went-to-the-AAC began to turn green in the other aircraft....:\

Trip 52 was a mere 0:45 of Nav Intro - I'm sure your straight and level skills coped admirably with that!

We did actually fly together in 546 again on Tuesday 13 Mar 1990; 'GH' which would indeed have included aerobation. Perhaps your gyros toppled and you forgot to log it? My only other trip that day was with Frankie-the-porn - again in 546.

[ACW599]

>Sounds like your also a veteran of 'Grumbles Den' ?

Oh yes. UWAS 1972-4. Happy memories of the Mumbles Run, the Splash of Merit and flying proper aeroplanes with tailwheels :-)

One shouldn't hijack other folks' threads but it would be interesting to have a comparison between Bulldog and Chipmunk handling from those who flew both. I can't imagine anything more delightful than the mighty 'Munk but was the Bulldog as good?

[ShyTorque]

Bulldog v. Chipmunk?

As a Bulldog QFI I once had to hold for ATC reasons on the ATZ boundary at a certain grass airfield. Became involved in a little competition with a very experienced Chippy pilot (Boss of 7 AEF) to see who could get on the tail of the other in the orbit.

After about five minutes neither of us had gained an advantage, even though the crafty old bu%%er used various combinations of flap and dived to almost ground level a couple of times (not to say that I didn't).

Impressive that he could stay in the turn with a 'Dog with less horsepower; but then the Chippy had a better wing loading ...and he was perhaps a better pilot than me :O .

[Studefather]

....but since, at last, someone mentioned Chipmunks, anyone have pictures or memories of WD390 which is now Wickenby based?
Still in 9AEF livery and coded 68.

Memory jog extracted from the movement cards:-

1951 April Delivered 2BFTS
1953 Jan Allocated 5RFS
Oct 10MU
1955 March Allocated 22 Group Comms Flt.
1957 March 10MU
June 22 Group Comms Flt.
1960 March Allocated Tech College Henlow
Sept Cat 3R RES/71MU (??)
Dec Tech College Henlow
1961 June 27MU
1964 Aug Allocated RAF South Cerney
Sept 27MU
1965 March Allocated Bristol UAS
May Allocated 2 AEF
June Allocated 1 AEF
Aug Allocated ITS South Cerney
1967 Jan name chge Aircrew Officer Training School
Jan name chge RFS (Church Fenton) AOTS
1969 Oct Allocated Manchester UAS
1970 July Disposal Ac RDS/60MU
Sept Manchester UAS
1974 July NEA 5MU
1979 Aug Allocated FSS Swinderby
1980 Oct 5MU
1981 Feb FSS Swinderby
1984 Nov Allocated 9 AEF Finningley
1986 June Marshalls
Dec 9 AEF Finningley
1987 June Marshalls
July 9 AEF Finningley
1988 July Marshalls
Aug 9 AEF Finningley
1992 approx Disposal Ac

Thanks in anticipation.

(apologies for the mangled tabulation which happens somewhere between draft and thread preview)

[Andy_R]

Jackonicko,
That's for your response and the links. Looks like you guy's are having fun at Shoreham. If you have a close up of the ULAS ensignia it would be very much appreciated.

Were you guy's part of the formation we did at Shoreham to mark the 40th Anniversary of the first Beagle Pup flight?

Big Sand, I am not sure who Jackonicko is, but as one of the owners of the Dawg at Shoreham, I would happily forward you a shot if the ULAS ensignia. Drop me a PM with your email address and I'll take a shot of it next time I am down there.
(I assume it was us you were referring to? (XX554).)

[Jackonicko]

I think/hope he wanted a shot of the old, proper book on a red cross on a shield insignia, not the boring later one.

I'm looking hard....

[acepilotmurdock]

NUAS those were the days.... think i might have flown that Bulldog on summer camp at Benson in 1996......When the old wessex were based there and that cockpit mock up in the hanger.
:ok:

[potcivvy]

Even I managed to squeeze a few hours out of XX 546 in 91/92. My penultimate flight in a Bulldog was in this airframe, just before I predictably failed my academic studies, joined the Army and flew Lynx for a few fantastic years!

Good luck with her, no doubt I will have given that nose wheel a bit of a touch up during my solo landings.:ok:

[Big Sand]

Andy R,
Thanks for the response. If you would be very kind and take a shot of the Squadron ensignia it will greatly assist.

XX546 is a lovely little aircraft and flies very nicely. She's in good hands and is very well looked after and maintained.

Many thanks for your help.

Big Sand:ok:

[Big Sand]

Potcivvy,
Thanks for the feedback mate. Rest assurred XX546 is in good hands and is in tip top nick. She gets a regular runout and a few 'gentleman's aeros' to keep her fit.

Nice there are a few Bulldog's around still flying in UAS colours to remind us of those Halcian days.

All the best


Big Sand:ok:

[Big Sand]

Jackonicko,
Thanks for the feedback. If you have an original ULAS ensignia that would be greatly appreciated. XX546 is preserved in very original markings and livery but the ensignia that covered the Battery Access Panel has been removed.

It would be nice to have her back in full squadron markings.

Thanks


Big Sand:ok:

[AIRCRAFTSNAPPER]

Have Good Quality Slide At Finningley In 1990(port) And In Store Awaiting Sale At Newton In 1996(starboard)

[Studefather]

ACS

PM inbound.

Many thanks for the reply.

S

[betty swallox]

Big Sand...
Good to see you're still flying. I'm off in half an hour to fly with the mighty UGSAS!
You doing the next reunion??!!

[Big Sand]

Aircraftsnapper,
You certainly get around with that camera mate. If you have a shot of the ULAS emlem on the battery access hatch that would be greatly appreciated.

very best regards and thanks


Big Sand:ok:

[Big Sand]

Hey Betty,
Good to hear fro you mate. Trust all is well and you are still enjoying flying. Do you have any intel on another UGSAS reunion?.

If you are out at the flying element at Glasgow note the mug rack and lack of the smut drawer. Also note there is no smell of cooking Chiz Burgers heavy in the air. Ah, the halcian days when you had to bribe John $nderson a can of coke or a Mars Bar to drive the MT from the GUU to the flying element.

Good days long thought of and never forgotten.

Big Sand:E

[zkmkw]

Thought readers might like to know that I own the one Bulldog on the NZ Register, and would be interested in any anecdotes or recollections from those who may have flown XX657 (Cambridge UAS)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3404260340_278db758ca_s.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37019061@N08/3404260340/)

[brokenlink]

Big Sand,
If it of any use to you I have a spare Phillips Auction catalogue from the May 2001 sale at which your aircraft was sold out of service. If you PM me with your address I'll drop it in the post. Used to be one half of Phillips aircraft department and thoroughly enjoyed the couple of sales I was involved in

[betty swallox]

No BS, no idea as to the next reunion...but I'll find out. The UGSAS kites are up north right now

[Big Sand]

BS,
Understood. Of course, getting close to an Easter camp for UGSAS. Did you ever remember doing Easter Camps at RAF Machrihanish?. I was at the famous (or should I say infamous) camps at Machrihanish when Big Sink ('the missing link') taxied onto a perimeter road in his Bulldog. To add insult to injury he called up on the UHF to say he was lost. Asked where he was the only thing he could see was a set of traffic lights.

Yes, not UGSAS's finest hour but great fun in the mess later and even after 26years. He, of course was duly 'Gschneidered' by the boss and went to bed somewhat 'rat faced' and still clutching his parking ticket.

Great days mate. :ok:

Big Sand

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

Big Sand,

You'd gone (betty was still there) when 'Rambo' taxied on to the runway at Machrihanish with Bob 'I don't need a fcuking calculator' Little as QFI. He turned the wrong way and had about 18' of useable runway in front of him and 10,000' behind him. Bob asked if there may be a problem; 'Rambo' said 'No' and applied full power. Many debrief points!

Duncs:ok:

[Big Sand]

Hi Duncan Dis,
I indeed had gone by that time but had still suffered at the hands of 'Bob'. Unfortunate that Rambo picked the shortest part of one of the longest runways in Europe to do his shortfield takeoff:ugh:. Good man. Obviously he drank handsomely from the Gschneider later in the mess?:yuk:

Rumour has it that Bob is now flying with Jet2?

How's things with you these days mate. If you are down near EGSF anytime give me a nod and we can do a spot of real flying in the Bulldog.:ok:

All the best

Big Sand

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

Mate,

I'd love to. Not sure when I'm ever likely to be that way though. Just remember that...

If the prop stops,
Glide at 75 Knots.

And don't forget to say 'PAN'!

Duncs:ok:

[BEagle]

"Seventy five to stay alive!" was what we told our Bloggs!

Enjoy good old '03!

[betty swallox]

Big Sand. The Geschnieder IS alive, if not well. The old, original one was a bit shabby, so I presented a new one, on my departure after QFIing for 4 years on the mighty UGSAS. Having said that, it's also seen better days...
Beagle. Wrong. The UAS still visits Kinloss for Easter, Summer and Autumn Camps. All the traditions are alive and very well...
Duncan D'S...glory days!!!

[InfraBoy]

Although I spent most of my time in '07' XX553 looking back in my logbook I have a fair few hours on XX546 in 1994 with either Sqn Ldr 'Santa' Sills or Ryle or on my own and then a a fair amount with an ex-Tuc instructor when it became 'his' aircraft. I've got some air-air shots of some formation on my last trips that may have 546 in - I'll see if I can find them!

All the best, pop into Halton if you're ever up this way. We've got 3 Chipmunks and one of the black & yellow Bulldogs in one of our hangars!

[BEagle]

I have a fair few hours on XX546 in 1994 with either Sqn Ldr 'Santa' Sills....

I'm glad to hear that 546 became Colin's aeroplane after I left ULAS - I know that he will have treated her well!

[Big Sand]

Hey Betty S,
Good to hear from you mate and thanks for keeping the Old Gschneider alive for a few more camps!:ok:

Likewise if you and Duncn D find yourselves in Cambridgeshire way do send me a note and let's do some Bulldog flying for 'auld lang syne'. Thankfully we and a few previous entries still were privilidge to have enjoyed still the golden years of the UAS- much loved and never forgotten!.

Anyone remember the St Mawgan Summer Camp of July 1984? Maybe just before your time Betty?

Big Sand

PS: Betty, do you remember the 'Chiz Burger' - a culninary delight of the flying element. Generally partaken on days of inclement Wx?:yuk:

[Bulldoggy2]

Ive just come across this site so I thought I would add my contribution

I was the very first VR to fly the bulldog back in November 1973 having chalked up a few hours on the chipmunk i was in the London University Air Squadron and during my time with them I flew xx544, xx545, xx546, xx547 and xx548

[W1ngm4n]

Hi Big Sand

im flying out of Conington (joyrides) most weekends and I’ve seen XX-546 in the hanger or on the grass many times.

im ex YUAS with 100+ hours on bulldogs (up to spin aerobatic check).

id love to go flying with you sometime if you’re amenable; and more than happy to pay my way.

Many thanks

Joe

Hi Guy's & Gals,
I am the present custodian of XX546 (airframe 03) an RAF Bulldog from London University Air Squadron. She's a delightful little aircraft and is a regular static display aircraft on many UK air displays. I would like to restore her to her original squadron markings if possible and would greatly appreciate any old photos and history of her whilst in service with London University Air Squadron.

Whilst I am an ex University of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron pilot (47 Entry) myself. I am proud to be the custodian of this lovely little aircraft. Like me I am sure may of us on PPune can remember our first 'sector recces' in a Bulldog. What a delightful little aircraft they were. There are more than 60 currently flying on the UK Civil Reg with owners keen to maintain them for the future.

Please help me to identify her original squadron markings so I can have her returned to her original livery.

Many thanks

Big Sand....................:ok: