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Stock Model A
Scale 1:26  Length 13.5"   Wingspan 16.5"

Photography by Action Asia Photo
© 2002-8 Action Asia Photo - All Rights Reserved
www.actionasiaphoto.com

Derived from the Cessna T-37 trainer aircraft but sporting T-38 engines and with hardpoints added to the wings, the A-37A Combat Dragon was the only aircraft to ever undergo operational testing in actual combat; and made its début during the Vietnam War.  While the A-37A was well liked by its pilots, the A-37B was soon developed to give easier aileron control, a better armament panel, stronger engines and wings and was fitted with an air refueling probe. Nicknamed "The Dragonfly" the aircraft served mostly in the III and IV Corps areas of South Viet Nam. Its reliability, agility, accuracy and long loiter time made it the favorite close air support aircraft for low intensity conflict and so resulted in Dragonflies flying more than 165,000 sorties in Viet Nam.

Dragonflys were based at Bien Hoa Air Base just north of Saigon and from there were able to reach most of the southern areas of the conflict. Flying both day and night missions on visual only, the moderate speed of the aircraft gave it much greater accuracy than other fighters of the time. The relative slow speed caused enemy gunners to usually shoot too far in front of the aircraft and its small size further increased its survivability. It was also one of the few aircraft that could carry a load as heavy as the plane itself.

When South Viet Nam fell, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force had several squadrons of A-37s in operation and - as their bases were over-run by northern forces - most Dragonflys managed to fly south and were evacuated from the country.

The A-37 is flown by Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and possibly Paraguay. The A-37B was succeeded by the OA-37B.

On April 2nd, 2007, the A-37 made the headlines after Peruvian President Alan Garcia ordered his airforce to "bomb" and "gun down" all narcotics maceration wells and clandestine airports used to produce and transport illegal drugs out of the Peruvian jungles.  He had previously ordered a similar operation in 1986, when two squadrons of A37 rocketed and strafed twelve airstrips over several days.

Crew:          Pilot only
Length:       29 ft 4 in
Wingspan:  35 ft 10 in
Engine:       Two GE J85s with 2,400 lbs thrust each
Speed:         485 mph
Range:        270 miles tactical
Ceiling:       36,000 feet
Armament: GAU-2/A 7.62mm Gatling gun plus additional gun pods, high-explosive and incendiary bombs, rockets, grenades, and/or missiles for total useful load of 3,000 lbs.

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