Bulldog

The Scottish Aviation Bulldog is a two‑seat, single‑engine trainer that entered service in the early 1970s. Designed by Scottish Aviation in the late 1960s, the prototype first flew on 25 June 1969 and the type received its civil type certificate the following year. Production continued after Scottish Aviation was absorbed into British Aerospace, resulting in 286 aircraft built for the Royal Air Force, the Army Air Corps and a dozen overseas operators including Kenya, Oman and New Zealand. The Bulldog features an all‑metal, low‑wing monoplane layout, side‑by‑side seating under a clear canopy, and a fixed tricycle undercarriage. Power is supplied by a 200 hp Lycoming O‑320‑E2A engine, delivering smooth handling and a generous aerobatic envelope that makes the aircraft suitable for elementary flying, navigation and instrument instruction. Its simple, rugged design, low operating cost and forgiving flight characteristics quickly earned it a reputation as an effective primary trainer. The Bulldog’s widespread use helped standardise basic pilot training across several Commonwealth air forces and contributed to the transition from piston‑engine trainers to more modern turboprop platforms in the 1990s. Even today, surviving Bulldogs serve in civilian aero clubs, preserving its legacy.

Scottish Aviation

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