Finally in the Air: Darren “Buster” Crabb flew the A-37 Dragonfly
Channel: TemoraAviationMuseum
Date: 2018-07-05

After extensive restoration work on VH-XVA by the Temora Aviation Museum’s Engineering Team, the aircraft returned to flight in 2018 and regularly participates in Aircraft Showcase Days.

Cessna A-37 Dragonfly took its first public flight during the May 2018 Airshow. The gruelling years or hard work finally paid off. 

Darren “Buster” Crabb flew the A-37 Dragonfly feeling extremely pleased with all the restoration work done on the aircraft. Thank you Andrew Bishop and the team for your hard work; and we look forward to many glorious years of flying ✈️✈️✈️

The Cessna A-37B Dragonfly is a development of an aircraft originally designed in 1952 as a trainer for the US Air Force. The A-37B in its current configuration is designed as a ground attack aircraft and was developed to meet the COIN (counter insurgency) role.

The US Government supplied 254 Cessna A-37B Dragonfly’s to the Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) during the Vietnam War. Throughout the war, A-37s were used extensively in support of Australian ground forces with many missions being directed by Australian Forward Air Controllers (FAC’s).

After the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, ninety-five VNAF A-37B aircraft were captured and incorporated into the Vietnamese People’s Air Force, the aircraft in the Museum’s collection were among those captured. They were used in active service by their new “owners” and played a part in several regional conflicts involving Vietnam.

In 1989, Colin Pay (who rebuilt the Museum’s Spitfire) and Noel Vinson found several Dragonflys in Vietnam. Subsequently, ten were purchased from the Government of Vietnam and brought to Australia. These aircraft were fully restored to flying condition, and then two were acquired by David Lowy. These two A-37B Dragonflies have since been donated to the Temora Aviation Museum by David Lowy, with VH-XVA donated in December 2000 and VH-DLO in November 2001.

 A-37 Dragonfly will be appearing at the Warbirds Downunder 2018. Purchase your tickets online: http://bit.ly/WD2018TIX 

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