A-37B Dragonfly

Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:14 am

Anyone got feedback on what a Dragonfly is like to fly / fly in?

I am looking at maybe going for a spin.

Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:16 am

according to the late col pay he said it was the best beast this side of an f/a 18 :shock:

Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:28 am

That, ‘I love the smell of napalm in the morning’ moment.

An extremely powerful and impressive little aeroplane and a big thanks to Jim, Mike and Bobby for making it happen and taking the pix.

PeterA

Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:49 am

Whats the story with this bird? Who owns it and where is it based?

Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:40 am

The Dragonfly is a bit of a rocket ship I believe

Is it correct that it almost has a 1 to 1 thrust to weight ratio without external stores ?

What's the max rate of climb ?

Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:50 am

I can claim 1 hours worth of time as 'ballast' and 20 minutes of stick time in the OA-37B

I have no time in any other F/A/O series of jet aircraft so my comparisons are limited.......but if you have a chance to go you are insane if you don't do it.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:12 am

i hear the the shrill shreak of tweetie's engines as i post this, enough to shatter glass!!! the correct bird for easter too!!!

Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:52 am

I've been lucky enough to have a ride in an A-37 amongst many other high performance things, & I have to say from my personal point of view that the A-37 ride was INCREDIBLY impressive!... the best thing I've been in so far. The rate of climb is one thing, but the thrust from pushing the throttles all the way forward is something else!

I think if you have the opportunity to buy a ride then take it.... you wouldn't have second thoughts about the money after the experience.

Just my input.

Jason

Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:06 pm

When I "was" an Air Traffic Controller, We called these little jet a 6,000 pound Dog Whistle...always thought they were cool though.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:31 pm

aseanaero wrote:The Dragonfly is a bit of a rocket ship I believe

Is it correct that it almost has a 1 to 1 thrust to weight ratio without external stores ?

What's the max rate of climb ?

There is no one single figure. Drag index and weight are the primary variables.

Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:41 pm

I miss all of the T-37s that used to fly out of Randolph AFB and over our backyard every weekday. I do like the new T-6 Texan IIs, but the Tweet was a special little bird. I got to fly the simulator at Randolph once and had a blast.

Ryan

Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:31 pm

262crew wrote:Whats the story with this bird? Who owns it and where is it based?

Jim Smith, at his private facility in MO.