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Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly - Royal Thai Air Force’s little Dragon
Hi and welcome to my 34th suggestion, which is about the Thai OA-37B, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- This is a suggestion for an aircraft we could see in game at some point in the Future , that doesn´t mean next Patch or somewhere in the near Future
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Background History
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or the Super Tweet as it’s sometimes called, is a light combat aircraft that was developed and built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in the United States. It came into existence during the Vietnam War when there was a pressing need for new planes tailored for counterinsurgency missions, aiming to replace older models like the Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
After some tweaking, it became clear that the T-37 could be modified to serve a combat role effectively.
After successful testing the first batch of A-37As headed to Vietnam in 1967 as part of an evaluation program called “Combat Dragon.” They flew various missions, proving their worth and prompting the Air Force to order an improved version, the A-37B. These planes were mainly deployed in South Vietnam and neighboring countries, often supporting ground troops with close air support.
At the end of Vietnam War, the A-37Bs that were given to units of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. These were modified as forward air control aircraft and rebranded as OA-37Bs. Eventually, as newer aircraft like the A-10 Thunderbolt II came into service, the OA-37Bs were phased out in the 1980s - 1990s and exported as replacement or part airframes to Asia.
The OA-37B Dragonfly Overall
The Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly is a military observation and light attack aircraft developed by Cessna, a further armed and observation-converted version of the A-37B, which was an armed further development of the T-37 “Tweet” trainer.
It featured a tandem seat configuration for the pilot and observer/weapons systems officer. The Dragonfly was built to withstand rough conflict conditions, for this purpose reinforced cokpit glasses and other systems were installed, including the option for countermeasures. It can operate from short, unprepared runways, making it suitable for remote areas and difficult operation locations.
Compared to the A-37s already in service with the Royal Thai Air Force, the OA-37B had an air-refueling prop.
Armament of the OA-37B
Based on the A-37B, the Dragonfly can carry a variety of bombs and missiles, but not guided bombs or AGMs. Tests for larger guns such as GPU-2/A were carried out, but for unknown reasons it was never used. The only offensive armament for the OA-37B was a six-barreled 7.62mm GAU-2B/A Gatlling with 1500 rounds as well as the option to carry multiple SUU-11A/A gun pods, similar to these found on the A-1H in-game.
How many armament options for this smoll plane ? … Well, yes.
Dumb-Bombs / Rockets
- BLU-1C/B
- BLU-23B
- BLU-27B
- BLU-27A/B
- BLU-32B
- BLU-32A/B
- BLU-52B
- Mk.36
- Mk.81
- Mk.82 / (SNAKEYE)
- LAU-3/A
- LAU-32A/A
- LAU-32B/A
- LAU-54A/A
- LAU-59/A
Pods / Other
- SUU-11A/A (Gun Pod)
- SUU-25A/A (Flares Dispender)
Specifications, Electronics and Internal
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8.62 m
- Wingspan: 10.94 m
- Height: 2.71 m
- Wing area: 17.08 m2
- Empty weight: 2.817 kg
- Max. takeoff weight: 6.350 kg
- Powerplant: 2x General-Electric J85-GE-17A
- Dry thrust: 12.7 kN
- Maximum speed:
- 816 km/h at sea level
- Service ceiling: 12.730 m
- Rate of climb: 35.5 m/s
- Maximum g-load: +9g / -3g (placeholder)
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
RTAF Dragonfly
https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/Portals/84/HOME%20PAGE/Helpful%20Info/Hurlburt%20Field%20Air%20Park/Airpark_Guide_2015.pdf?ver=2016-06-23-175444-307
Cessna A-37 'Dragonfly' | Planes of Fame Air Museum
"รัชต์ รัตนวิจารณ์" ท้าวทองไหล: เครื่องบินโจมตีแบบ A-37B ของกองทัพอากาศไทย
Cessna 318D/E A-37 Dragonfly - Technische Daten / Beschreibung
OA-37 Dragonfly
Books / Other:
T.O.1A-37B-1 USAF A-37B Flight Manual (1968)
Tweet and the Dragonfly - The Story of the Cessna A-37 and T-37 - Kev Darling (2005)
List of Suggestions for Thailand