Sheet #

 Microscale 72-253 T-37's 

Price:

$

Units:

8 FTS, 4600 ABW, 29, 38, 43, 71 FTW

Review By:

Scott Van Aken

Notes:

 

 

The Cessna T-37 has been around for what seems like forever. It was the USAF's first purpose built primary jet trainer (the T-33 was developed from the F-80 Shooting Star). First flying in 1956, the T-37 is finally due to be replaced by the Pilatus PC-9 aka Texan II. Undoubtedly, it will be operated by some civilian firm of some sort as that seems to be the way that pilot training is headed. 

Anyway, the T-37 is still with us and is powered by a pair of small centrifugal flow turbojets; engines that are quite similar to what powers most helicopters. It is easy to maintain, is reliable as gravity, and can handle foreign object injestion (like birds) without catastrophic failure. Like the engine, the airframe is equally reliable. No fly by wire, no ejection seats (that I know of, and I've sat in them), minimal navigation aids, simplified avionics systems and very easy to fly. Just what one wants of a primary jet trainer.

Color schemes for the T-37 have changed over the years as well. They first appeared in overall bare metal. This gave way to an overall white scheme. Later, it was modified to white and dark blue with red lettering. The red lettering wasn't too popular, so that was changed to white. This is how you will see them today. 

Also changing were the tail markings. Initially there were just some splashes of color on the fin tip, this changed to some units having various designs on tail bands and finally to tail codes. All of the aircraft on this sheet are the earlier schemes of either natural metal or overall white, though there is a Bicentennial scheme in this sheet. 

There are enough common markings (except for insignia) to do five of the six aircraft shown. Probably the biggest hurdle is that there is no kit of the T-37 (except for the very rare Aurora 1/48 prototype). What is available is an  OA-37 from Hasegawa and the updated copy from Academy. While they look similar, they are not the same. The biggest problem being that the OA-37 has engines that are physically larger so the engine area is deeper. The OA-37 has other differences such as ejection seats, a larger 'thrust attenuator', bulged gear doors, and no splitter plate. All OA-37s also have wing tanks, so the wing tips will need to be modified as well. All of these can be fixed except for the larger wing roots of the OA-37.

So here is what is on the sheet:

First is a natural metal aircraft from the 71st FTW

Next a white 71 FTW aircraft with a black rudder

The third aircraft is also from the 71st FTW at Vance AFB in the standard white scheme.

The next natural metal aircraft is from the now disbanded 38 FTW at Laredo AFB.

From the 4600 ABW at Peterson AFB is the nice striped T-37.

Finally a Bicentennial aircraft from another defunct unit, the29th FTW from Craig AFB.

The instruction sheet is quite good and being a Microscale sheet, has full common markings placement on the reverse side.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

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