Cessna A-37B Dragonfly
Rego: VH-DLO Military S/N: 68-10805
Rego: VH-XVA Military S/N: 68-10779
History
The Cessna A-37B Dragonfly is a development of an aircraft originally designed in 1952 as a trainer for the US Air Force. The A-37B in its current configuration is designed as a ground attack aircraft and was developed to meet the COIN (counter insurgency) role. The US Government supplied 254 Cessna A-37B Dragonfly's to the Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) during the Vietnam War. Throughout the war A-37s were used extensively in support of Australian ground forces with many missions being directed by Australian Forward Air Controllers (FAC's). After the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, ninety-five VNAF A-37B aircraft were captured and incorporated into the Vietnamese People’s Air Force, the aircraft in the collection were among those captured. They were used in active service by their new "owners" and played a part in several regional conflicts involving Vietnam.
In 1989 Colin Pay (who rebuilt the Museum’s Spitfire) and Noel Vinson found several Dragonflys in Vietnam. Subsequently, ten were purchased from the Government of Vietnam and brought to Australia. The aircraft were fully restored to flying condition and then two were acquired by David Lowy. Both A-37B Dragonflies have been donated to the Temora Aviation Museum VH-XVA in December 2000 and VH-DLO in November 2001.
The Cessna A-37B Dragonflys are currently displayed at the Museum Showcase Days and various airshow events.
Specifications
Engine
Two General Electric J85-17A2,850 lbs (1293kg)
Axial Flow turbojets
Fuel
Aviation Turbine Fuel (Jet Fuel)Fuselage Tank Capacity:
Wing Tank Capacity (2):
Wing Tip Tank Capacity (2):
Pylon Tank Capacity
66 Imperial Gallons
83 Imperial Gallons
75 Imperial Gallons
81 Imperial Gallons
299 Litres
376 Litres
341 Litres
367 Litres
79 U.S. Gallons
99 U.S. Gallons
90 U.S. Gallons
97 U.S. Gallons
Dimensions
Wingspan:
Length:
Wing Area:
Height:
35' 101/2"
29' 3 "
193.5 sq. ft
9' 3"
10.93 m
8.62 m
17.98 sq. m
2.71 m
Weights
Empty:
Maximum Takeoff weight:
6,254 lb
14,00 lb
2,843 kg
6,364 kg
Armament
One GAU-2B/A 7.62mm Minigun mounted in the nose.Four pylons under each wing can carry a range of weapons including 30mm DEFA-553 cannon, 20mm GPU-2/A cannon, the SUU-11/A 7.62mm Minigun pod, 19 shot LAU-32A 2.75 in. rocket pods, Mk.82 bombs, napalm tanks, SUU-14 bomblet dispensers, multiple Ejection Racks with four 500 lb bombs, and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Performance
Maximum Speed:
Cruise Speed:
420 knots
265 knots
483 mph
306 mph
778 km/h
491 km/h