SAL Bulldog XX549
Thread Starter
SAL Bulldog XX549
XX549 is coming out of a winter refurb/repaint to original military specc in a few weeks time. We are trying to trace her UAS service history and would appreciate details of any dates and locations that might be hidden in your old logbooks. We know that she entered service on 1st March 1974, probably with Manchester UAS, and might also have spent some time in UWAS and Southampton UAS. Any info appreciated!
I first flew her on MASUAS on the 9th July 1986 (Max Rate turns.) I'm sure she had just arrived from Shawbury from storage, but my memory may be wrong. My last flight in her was 21st March 1987 (solo GH.)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lost
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I flew xx549 on Southampton UAS on 20 Oct 93 doing Advanced Circuits. Last flew 5 Feb 94 on Solo GH
. It doesn't seem to have been one of our regular aircraft, hence the short time frame.
. It doesn't seem to have been one of our regular aircraft, hence the short time frame.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Isle of Man
Age: 73
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you've not already seen it, there is a picture of XX549 taken on 24 July 1999 at:
Photo Search Results | Airliners.net=
Photo Search Results | Airliners.net=
XX549 was a very special Bulldog. My first trip in her was in Feb 84 at RAF Woodvale. My QFI was a certain Flt Lt Rod Newman - XX549's 'owner'. I recall that each QFI on MASUAS had their own Bulldog. XX615 belonged to Flt Lt Keith Hewitt; we also had XX614, XX616 and XX617.
Each Bulldog had a different coloured air filter in the intake to aid recognition from head-on. Saved me at least once as I started the walk-round on the wrong aircraft until I got to the intake - Rod's Bulldog intake was painted green!
Also flew my very last Bulldog trip in Aug 86 in XX549 - 1:45 of formation & navigation. Possibly the rtb from summer camp at St Athan. Once again in the company of Uncle Rod.
Bulldog, Woodvale, Rod Newman, Keith Hewitt & co - simply wonderful days!
Each Bulldog had a different coloured air filter in the intake to aid recognition from head-on. Saved me at least once as I started the walk-round on the wrong aircraft until I got to the intake - Rod's Bulldog intake was painted green!
Also flew my very last Bulldog trip in Aug 86 in XX549 - 1:45 of formation & navigation. Possibly the rtb from summer camp at St Athan. Once again in the company of Uncle Rod.
Bulldog, Woodvale, Rod Newman, Keith Hewitt & co - simply wonderful days!
Last edited by H Peacock; 1st May 2013 at 19:08.
I see my penultimate flight with Rod was in 549 too - 11th March 1987, Aeros, early preparation for the Reid Trophy I think.
Hope you are well Rod
Ian
Hope you are well Rod
Ian
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
XX549
I flew XX549 on 19 March 2000 with 2 AEF (shared fleet with SUAS) from Boscombe Down. No specific memories of this Bulldog, only to say that AEF flying was great fun that I was very happy to do as a VR(T) after leaving the Service.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Surrey
Age: 81
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
XX549
Yes fit and well Ian, but still very busy. Used 549 for a lot of great formation photographs of the other 4 Bulldogs on MASUAS at the time. Also used for the 6 episodes of High Flyers the ITV series explaining what we did on the UAS. Really enjoyed making that with Dave Nadin who did the photography.
Hope you're well too
Rod
Hope you're well too
Rod
Last edited by rodnewman; 1st May 2013 at 09:44.
MASUAS 'Dogs
As has already been said, XX549 belonged to Rod and XX615 belonged to Keith Hewitt. XX617 definitely belonged to Bob German ( lots of fatigue used in the run-up to the Reid trophy in '83 with Bob and Tim ) and I think XX616 was the Boss' cab ie Graham Timms. At my time on MASUAS I think XX614 must either have been Ron Chivers' machine or maybe Cliff Hilliker's ? Good days at Woodvale . . . "known only to a few but forgotton by none" ! By the way, does anyone have a copy of the airborne video that was shot on MASUAS summer camp around '82 / '83 ? Choreographed / shot by Rod I think ? 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Surrey
Age: 81
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
XX549
I have my original filming/ choreograph of the wye valley low level in s Wales and some formation aerobatics / tailchasing prior to landing at Abingdon. It's in VHS format, but not the best quality. Have converted it to DVD . Includes tiny small piece sketch, some marching and lasts just under an hour. 549 is there , year 1984 July
Last edited by rodnewman; 1st May 2013 at 18:23.
Thread Starter
Many thanks to all for the responses! With your help and other information we now have a very good idea of where XX549 was during RAF service, but the personal feedback is adding a lot of interesting detail. Apparently she was a King's Cup winner, does anyone know anything about that?
Rod, you would be most welcome to a reunion with your old steed, it's not too far way from you, at White Waltham. Send a PM if interested in doing that. I will post a picture once she is back at base and looking brand new again.
Rod, you would be most welcome to a reunion with your old steed, it's not too far way from you, at White Waltham. Send a PM if interested in doing that. I will post a picture once she is back at base and looking brand new again.
Last edited by 777fly; 1st May 2013 at 19:58.
Oh the names... Rod (Canberras?) I knew well, Cliff too (14 Sqn FRG). Keith VC10s. Makes me feel old...
Oh yes, I am old
ps as you can see from another post, I own XX614. Cliff, was it yours?
Oh yes, I am old
ps as you can see from another post, I own XX614. Cliff, was it yours?
Last edited by sharpend; 1st May 2013 at 21:57.
Thread Starter
Well, it took much longer than expected to get XX549 back from the re-spray, until 15th July in fact. Lots of post military neglect had to be rectified, but the expensive (£19K+) refurb/respray means that XX549 is in a better than new condition and is back to turning the world upside down again.
Thanks once more to all who helped piece her history together, we now have a good idea of what happened to her from 1976-2002. If you ever flew her, you must have some good and some bad memories. I hope the latest picture, Brize Norton October 2013, brings it all back.
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps06919f45.jpg
Thanks once more to all who helped piece her history together, we now have a good idea of what happened to her from 1976-2002. If you ever flew her, you must have some good and some bad memories. I hope the latest picture, Brize Norton October 2013, brings it all back.
http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/...ps06919f45.jpg
Last edited by 777fly; 21st Oct 2013 at 22:46.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,068
Received 2,939 Likes
on
1,252 Posts
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kings Cup Winner?
"Apparently she was a King's Cup winner, does anyone know anything about that?"
Could that have been Sqn Ldr Mike Baker in 1988? I know he won a Kings Cup in a Bulldog that year.
Could that have been Sqn Ldr Mike Baker in 1988? I know he won a Kings Cup in a Bulldog that year.