T-37

Quick Review

Cessna T-37 "Dragonfly"

First flown on 12 October 1954, the T-37 was the first jet trainer designed as such to join the USAF, which it did as a basic trainer in 1957. A staggering 1268 T-37s of all versions had been built by the end of production in 1977, including those exported to other air forces. A COIN (counter insurgency) derivative had flown as a prototype on 22 October 1963, and production of this version began by converting T-37s. New production began after the 39 A-37As with the A-37B, and 538 were eventually built. Flown in Vietnam, a substantial number remained with the South Vietnamese Air Force when the war ended, allowing Vietnam to remain a major user until recently. Other A-37Bs were exported or transferred . The A-37B as such is no longer in USAF or reserve service, although a number have been modified into OA-37Bs for Air National Guard use as forward air control (FAC) aircraft, superseding 0-2As.

Specifications (T-37B data)

Accommodation	Student pilot and instructor side by side
Wingspan	33 ft 9X4 in (10.30 m)
Length	29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
Maximum take-off weight	6600 lb (2993 kg)
Maximum speed	426 mph (685 km/h)
Range	870 miles (1400 km)
Rate of climb at sea level	3020 ft (920 m) per min
Ceiling	35,100 ft (10,700 m)
Engines	Two 1025-lb (465-kg) thrust Continental J69-T-25 turbojets, with 1170 liters of fuel standard