7/27/2019 A 37 Dragonfly

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An A-37A fring rockets in Vietnam.

The USAF A-37 Dragonfly was perhaps the mostunderestimated aircraft of the Vietnam War. Itsmix of accuracy, reliability, and maneuverabilitywas ideal for the war in Southeast Asia. Derivedfrom the Cessna T-37 Tweet trainer, the A-37became an effective replacement for the DouglasA-1 Skyraider ground-attack aircraft, which wassuffering high losses.

After evaluating two T-37Cs in the attack role, theAir Force asked Cessna for two prototype YAT-37Daircraft. Each was to be equipped with two GEturbojet engines, stronger wings, huge 95 gallonwingtip tanks, a 7.62 minigun, improved com-munications systems, and tougher landing gear.

A test program converted some 39 T-37Bs intoA37-As with only minor changes. The A-37A

Dragonflys also were well-armed, able to dropbombs, napalm, and cluster munitions. Theseso-called Super Tweets could also fire minigunsand unguided rockets.

In the Combat Dragon evaluation program, 25A-37As were sent to the 604th Air CommandoSquadron at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam.Missions included forward air control, groundattack, helicopter escort, and night bombing.A-37A successes led to procurement of 577newly built A-37Bsfirst flown in 1967withmuch stronger airframes and bigger engines. Aprobe-and-drogue refueling system was added,extending both range and loiter time. The Drag-

onfly flew more than 160,000 sorties, with only22 losses to combat. Walter J. Boyne

In Brie

Designed, built by Cessnae rst ight Oct. 22, 1963 e crew of one ortwo (pilot and observer)e number built/converted 596eSpecifc toA-37D: two J85-GE-17A turbojet enginese armament one GAU-2B/Anose-mounted minigun and hard points for M134 minigun, 20 mmcannon, 30 mm cannon, AIM-9 Sidewindere load seven 70 mm FFAR,

napalm tanks, four 500-lb Mk 82 bombs, SUU-14 bomblet dispensere max speed 507 mph e cruise speed 490 mph e max range 920mi e weight (loaded) 14,000 lb e span 35 ft 10 in e length 28 ft 3in e height 8 ft 10 in.

Famous Fliers

Notables: John Blaha, Stumpy Bowen, John Bradley, GeneBywater, Lon Holtz, Lloyd Langston, Robert Macaluso, Ollie Maier,Richard Martel, Wayne Moorhead, Lou Weber. Test Pilots: BobHagan, Hank Waring.

Interesting Facts

Nicknamed Super Tweet e survived collisions with trees and stillreturned to basee own by Air National Guard until 1990se remainsin service in South Americae used by both Ecuador and Peru in 1995border ware served with South Koreas aerobatic teameused by totalof 14 air forces e captured aircraft own by North Vietnam Air Forcein war with Chinae could conserve fuel by ying on only one engine.

This aircrat:USAF A-37B Dragony#73-1090in 1991 when assigned to412th Flight Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif.

USAF

photo

152 AIR FORCE Magazine/ September 2011

Artwork by Zaur EylanbekovAirpower Classics

A-37 Dragonfy