This is the Monogram 1/48 A37 Dragonfly. For it’s age, this is a great little kit. The amount of detail and over all fit is very good considering it’s 15 years old. The raised panel lines and over stated rivet detail didn’t really bother me much. It kind of suits the rugged look of this wierd but interesting little bird. However, finding decals to replace the junk that came with the kit was challenging. I ended up raiding a club members extensive spares box, and came up with everything except the pilot info stencil. I chose markings from the 8th SOS Bien Hoa. All of the numbers were applied individually. Another challenge was trying to find a safe way to pick this model up without breaking something off. There’s stuff hanging all over this thing, including what seems to be about 37 antennas just begging to be broken off. Fortunately I made it through with no need for damage control. I picked this kit up for a dollar at an auction, and for obvious reasons I had to build a Dragonfly. Hope you like my “TWEET”.
That is some great work there Jerry,I like the detail on the seats.Are those resin or a combination of kit parts and photo-etch? I would like to try one of these kits to model the trainer version.And yours has me looking on E-bay for one.Thanks for the posting!
Jerry, nice build. I saw that bird when I went to the museum the other day
I was amazed at how small it really was… so was my friend
But all the payload it can take for such a tiny thing is really amazing! Really good job Jerry. I can see why you took home so many awards!
Good job on the tweet. My wife wants me to make a model of one she had to work with. This means that I’m going to have to get another kit of the 6,000 pound dog whistle for her, and build both at the same time.
Thanks Joe, ross, Radmax,Rick, Brian, Marc, and ikar01. I’ve never heard one running, but a friend of mine said the Tweet was so loud that even in a building with closed doors and windows, they considered ear plugs. Some called the A37 the converter. It would convert jet fuel into noise.
this plane, the turbo mentor and several others (some even prop types)
fall into a class of planes that i always liked, not fast but small tree top huggers with more fight per pound than everyones standard large planes (f15, f14, etc) the best for jungles like in south america ,and parts of asia and africa
I have a 1/72 Hasegawa on the bench about half done. Trying to get the camo done. After seeing your freehand, gonna give that a shot, I think.
I was assigned to the 182nd TASGp, ILANG at Peoria, IL airport 1979-1983, as an SP. We converted from the O-2 to the OA-37. And I can confirm those who are remarking on the “Dflys” noise level. They were Godawful loud, especially after the O-2’s. And they could carry the stuff, yes indeed. Lumps, bumps, tumors and 'tennas all over the thing.
The only downside to us getting the “Dflys” was that us non-flyers couldn’t get rides in them anymore. We could always sign up “space A” on the O-2 and go for a spin. Did that a couple times and they were neat to fly in.
Somewhere, I hope, buried in my modeling stuff, I have some closeup shots of an A-37 cockpit I took at an air show, years ago. Got to climb all over the thing. Also heard it running—I’m surprised one of its nicknames wasn’t “Baby,” as in, “How can anything that small make that much noise?”
Those who are or have been parents need no further explanation. [:)]
