Thirty-nine conversions of T-37 aircraft made up the initial A-37A production models. These were then followed the definitive 577 "A-37B" model with its uprated General Electric J85-GE-17A turbojet engines of 2,850lbs thrust each. These aircraft also featured in-flight refueling capabilities as well as improved internal fuel stores to help offset the aircraft's inherent limited range. The airframe was further reinforced for the rigors of low-altitude flight and attack. The final Dragonfly variant to appear was the reconnaissance-minded OA-37B, born of the A-37B models, and serving in the armed reconnaissance role.
Over two dozen A-37As were delivered to Southeast Asia in August of 1967 for active evaluations in the theater by the USAF. These served primarily in the Close-Air Support (CAS) role, Forward Air Control (FAC), night attack, armed escort and armed reconnaissance roles. With a healthy stable of munition options, the little Dragonfly proved of great value as it could strafe targets with machine gun and cannon fire, drop conventional ordnance and fire unguided rockets via pods. While none were lost in the early-going, this period served to showcase some limitations of the system - namely in its operational reach. It was this that pushed a longer-endurance model that became the A-37B which arrived in prototype form during September 1967. Unlike the previously converted A-37A models, A-37B platforms were all "new-build" airframes from Cessna. Before the end of the Vietnam War, American A-37s were passed on to the South Vietnamese Air Force which, in turn, led them to be captured by the victorious North after the American withdrawal.
Beyond the Vietnam Conflict, other notable combat actions involving the A-37 was recorded during the Salvadoran Civil War where A-37Bs, delivered from U.S. stocks, were operated by the Salvadoran Air Force against rebels.
In all, operators of the A-37 proved plenty and many were delivered to customers across Central and South America - Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Uruguay. Southeast Asian operators included South Korea, South Vietnam, Thailand and Vietnam proper (captured specimens). Many A-37s exist as museum showpieces today while, rather amazingly, some 50 still operate in a frontline role (mainly across Central/South America).
Performance specifications included (A-37B) a maximum speed of 505 miles per hour, a cruising speed near 490 miles per hour and a ferry range out to 920 miles. Its combat radius equaled 460 miles while the aircraft could reach altitudes of nearly 42,000 feet. Rate-of-climb was approximately 7,000 feet per minute.
American Vietnam-era pilots affectionately referred to their Dragonflies as "Super Tweets" in honor of their origin.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.