Cessna A-37B Dragonfly
Rego: VH-DLO Military S/N: 68-10805 Built: 1969
Rego: VH-XVA Military S/N: 68-10779 Built: 1968
The A-37B Dragonfly is an all-metal, retractable gear, low wing twin turbojet powered aircraft. VH-DLO carries constructor’s number 68-10805 and VH-XVA is 68-10779. A total of 577 A-37Bs were delivered.
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 was among those captured. They were used in active service by their new “owners” and played a part in several regional conflicts involving Vietnam.
VH-DLO
VH-XVA
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. These aircraft were fully restored to flying condition, and then two were acquired by David Lowy. These two A-37B Dragonflies have since been donated to the Temora Aviation Museum by David Lowy, with VH-XVA donated in December 2000 and VH-DLO in November 2001.
After extensive restoration work on VH-XVA by the Temora Aviation Museum’s Engineering Team, the aircraft returned to flight in 2018 and regularly participates in Aircraft Showcase Days.
VH-XVA is now part of the RAAF 100 Squadron Temora Historic Flight Collection after being generously donated by the Temora Aviation Museum in July 2019.
Specifications
Engine
Two General Electric J85-17A2,850 lbs (1293kg)
Axial Flow turbojets
Fuel |
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| Aviation Turbine Fuel (Jet Fuel) | |||
| Fuselage Tank Capacity: | 66 Imperial Gallons | 299 Litres | 79 U.S. Gallons |
| Wing Tank Capacity (2): | 83 Imperial Gallons | 376 Litres | 99 U.S. Gallons |
| Wing Tip Tank Capacity (2): | 75 Imperial Gallons | 341 Litres | 90 U.S. Gallons |
| Pylon Tank Capacity: | 81 Imperial Gallons | 367 Litres | 97 U.S. Gallons |
Dimensions |
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| Wingspan: | 35' 101/2" | 10.93 m | |
| Length: | 29' 3 " | 8.62 m | |
| Wing Area: | 193.5 sq. ft | 17.98 sq. m | |
| Height: | 9' 3" | 2.71 m | |
Weights |
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| Empty: | 6,254 lb | 2,843 kg | |
| Maximum Takeoff weight: | 14,000 lb | 6,364 kg | |
Armament |
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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. |
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Performance |
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| Maximum Speed: | 420 knots | 483 mph | 778 km/h |
| Cruise Speed: | 256 knots | 306 mph | 491 km/h |