[4][5] The single-seat Bulldogs were procured to give the RAAF a dedicated air defence capability following the retirement of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 fighter in 1928.

[6] Although only a "token" combat force according to the official history, the Bulldogs represented the latest technology available and gave Fighter Squadron the aura of an elite formation.

[2][6] On 15 May 1930, barely two weeks after delivery, one of the Bulldogs crashed due to structural failure while performing an inverted loop; the pilot parachuted to safety, the first time an RAAF member had done so in an emergency.

[1][9] The young Air Force was keen to show off its skills and equipment to the public, leading to regular participation in aerial pageants and races as far afield as Western Australia and Tasmania; this had the added benefit of providing exposure to a variety of conditions on long-distance flights, as pilots were required to fly their aircraft to and from displays in remote areas.

[11] In October 1931, during a flight to Adelaide to take part in an aero club pageant, Scherger had to land at Nhill, Victoria, in strong winds; his Bulldog finished up on its nose but the damage was slight, allowing him to complete the journey and win his air race with a top speed of 160 mph (260 km/h).

[16] Fighter Squadron was dissolved in December 1935 when its six surviving Bulldogs were re-designated as fighter-bombers and transferred from Point Cook to nearby RAAF Laverton, where they joined the Hawker Demons of No.