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Rafi Ben-Shahar
364 articles

Trumpeter 1/48 A-37B Dragonfly

February 1, 2024 · in Aviation · · 29 · 411

A nice thing in this site is that I discover models to build that I overlooked in the past.

's Tweet is one of them. It is a nice small kit loaded with features. However, Trumpeter is week with the details and does only part justice with the kit. In particular, the cockpit and canopy frame have much to be desired. Moreover, the small intake parts are inaccurate and difficult to fit in the fuselage. Hence, I chose to add the supplied intake covers.

I took a photograph of the aircraft displayed in the Military Museum of Ho Chi Min City. It belonged to the South Vietnamese Air Force and was repainted several times after capture. Yet, surface detail of the wing area shows that Trumpeter was true to the source.

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome 4  1 

11 additional images. Click to enlarge.


29 responses

  1. Proof that a friend was right who told me the Trumpeter Tweet was "under-rated" - very nice work and a good result.

    If I do one of these, I'd do it with VNAF markings, as one of the "Victory-Minded Squadron" - the VPAF pilots who came down to DaNang and took over six AT-37s left behind, and used them to make the attack on Tan Son Nhut Airport that closed it for evacuation, that for the past 48 years has been blamed on VNAF "defectors" because obviously the North Vietnamese "couldn't learn to fly a T-37 that fast". I got the story from the last surviving member of that group of VPAF pilots, for Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.

  2. Excellent job on the Trumpeter kit, Rafi! Thanks for the kit info!

  3. Despite the challenges with this kit, the end result is amazing, Rafi @blackmopane
    Well done.

  4. I’m not sure what the term “Tweet” means these days, Rafi, but it looks as though you turned the Trumpeter kit into a more than acceptable model of the Dragonfly.

  5. Very nice. I’ve got one in 1/72-scale you’ve just inspired me to pull from the stash.

  6. Nice work Looks great

    Steve

  7. Wow this is awesome! Really great work @blackmopane

  8. Nice one. I have it sitting in my stash...one day...

  9. It just goes to show what kind of skill and talent you have to get this kind of result from a "lesser quality" kit. Outstanding job, as always.
    I agree with you about this sight too. I see so many kits that I've never seen, or considered before. I have to control myself, my stash is already at the point that realistically at my build pace, I'll never get to all of them. I need to step it up!😉

  10. Very nice model. I built the ancient Hasegawa 1/72 Tweet which was difficult... Yours looks amazing!

  11. A lovely build of this Dragonfly. @blackmopane

  12. That is a lovely Dragonfly! I'm a fan of the A-37 - I have kits to do in all the S. American liveries that flew them.

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