Cessna A-37B Dragonfly (oz16890)

About this Plan

Cessna A-37B Dragonfly. Free flight scale model for rubber power. Pusher layout.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "CESSNA T/A 37B DRAGONFLY SUPER TWEET

The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a jet-powered, light attack aircraft that was designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Cessna.

It was developed during the Vietnam War in response to military interest in new counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft to replace aging types such as the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. A formal United States Air Force (USAF) evaluation of the T-37 Tweet basic trainer for the COIN mission was conducted in late 1962, after which it was concluded that it could be modified to effectively perform the role. The attack-oriented A-37 was directly derived from the T-37, roughly doubling in both all-up weight and engine thrust to permit considerable quantities of munitions to be carried along with extended flight endurance and additional mission avionics. The prototype YAT-37D performed its maiden flight during October 1964. –WIKIPEDIA

CONSTRUCTION

WING:
The wing is constructed using the Dave Rees’ sliced rib method. Mike Stuart has a great tutorial on his site, link here: https://www.ffscale.co.uk/rees.htm

FUSELAGE:
The fuselage is built using a ladder jig. There’s a great tutorial on YouTube by Maxiflyart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUYY1dqfH8

HORIZONTAL STAB:
The horizontal stab is constructed using 3/32” sq and sheet balsa. Build flat over the plan using wax paper or plastic wrap to protect the plan from the glue. I sometimes add an additional 3/32”sq rib over the built wing and sand into an airfoil shape. This adds strength and gives the model a lifting tail that looks more realistic instead of a flat hz stab.

VERTICAL STAB:
The vertical stab is built using 3/32” strips for the outline of the stab. When dry I add a 1/16” vertical spar “triangular shaped”. I add the spar off the building board with super glue so that it dries fast. I then add the 1/32”x1/8” ribs over the spar and glue to the L.E. and T.E. starting at the top and work to the base, being careful to maintain the airfoil shape without warps. This adds shape to the fuselage instead of a flat vertical stab.

This plan can be used to build the trainer T-37 Tweety-Bird or the A-37B Dragonfly also called “Super Tweet”. The U.S.A.F. didn’t officially order a fleet of A-37B’s but used them in the Vietnam War with the South Vietnamese Air Force. Several other air forces have acquired the A-37B for their COIN aircraft.

Big thanks to Steve and Mary for their fantastic site. Please keep up the great work.
Regards,
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"

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