Bulldog
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Shropshire
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Bulldog
I fly in an ex RAF Bulldog, and not wishing to look like a poseur, do not use an ex RAF helmet, but have two sets of ex RAF Amplivox headsets. These are terrible in comparison with the David Clark 13.4’s I used to use in a PA28, as the not inconsiderable noise of a 200HP engine is not at all shielded by the poorly fitting RAF headsets. But the electret microphones in the David Clark 13.4’s are not compatible with the Bulldog Communications Control unit (CCU). Does anyone with experience of a Bulldog have any info about which David Clarks can be used in Bulldogs?? The David Clark website suggests that DC H10-66’s have the right type of microphone (Dynamic rather than electret, and dual impedance selection), but some experienced advice is worth far more than a shot in the dark from the catalogue.. .. .Any advice would be gratefully received from this almost deafened Bulldog driver.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Maybe worth getting in touch with the Beagle Pup Club. Just looked on their Web site and this shows the email for their Engineering representative on the Committee (Brian Richardson) as [email protected] - of course, I can't guarantee that this is current info, but it may be a start.. .. .The Web site is at <a href="http://www.beaglepupclub.flyer.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.beaglepupclub.flyer.co.uk</a>. .. .PS Forgot to mention that as an RAFVR(T) officer, I always used to do my very utmost to get any gash trips going in a Bulldog - had some great fun and once pilot knew I was a PPL, I just got told to get on with it! Plane almost lands itself! Lucky s*d!!!. .. .HTH!. . . . <small>[ 22 March 2002, 08:31: Message edited by: CircuitBasher ]</small>
Join Date: Jan 1999
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The cheap fix is to get an inline adaptor for your DC,s I was issued with one of these things years back when we worked aircraft with both british and american intercom systems.. .. .if you own the aircraft then try the PS engineering website <a href="http://www.ps-engineering.com" target="_blank">www.psengineering.com</a> i think !, for the very best in intercom systems that dont seem to have headset mismatch problems.. . . . <small>[ 22 March 2002, 19:10: Message edited by: A and C ]</small>
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: London FIR
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FFLY, Bulldogs are noisy, good noise attenuation is important. Dont be blinkered into using David Clarkes just because everyone else does. They are heavy, bulky, uncomfortable and have much worse noise attenuation than the Peltor product, far, far superior at a slightly lower price, and I'd be surprised if a standard HELICOPTER headset wont work in a Bulldog as long as it still has the military intercom, military helmets are interchangeable between 'dogs and helos.. . . . <small>[ 23 March 2002, 14:33: Message edited by: capt waffoo ]</small>
Join Date: Nov 2001
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FFly,. .. .If you fly a Bulldog, then you probably have the urge to conduct the odd round of gentle aeros, swallow your pride, forget the image and protect your head, GET a bonedome, and wear a parachute.. .. .So many times you read in AAIB reports, that the crew would probably have survived if they were wearing a "bonedome".. .. .This is however my personal opinion, having lost 7 close aerobatting pals in accidents.
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Thanks all of you for the above. Of course I agree that for aeros a parachute is essential, and a helmet a wise precaution. But all of my Bulldog flying up until now has been non aerobatic, as I get used to the differences between the previous aircraft I have flown and this one. My question was really meant to see if any other new owners of Ex RAF Bulldogs had found a solution to the noisy headsets. When I eventually start to explore Bulldog aerobatic capabilities, I will borrow; a. parachutes, b.bonedomes, and c. an instructor. Parachutes and Instructor are available, but does anyone know where Mk3 or Mk4 RAF helmets can be obtained (with boom mike)other than from Mart Aviation whose website would seem not to cater for those of us with a "Large" head?
