Flying

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Dave Downs (LT Ducky)
The picture of the Spitfire is magnificent, but it was the mention of the A-37's that really caught my eye. I was a TACP (Tactical Air Control Party, Enlisted) with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard back in the late 1980's, and we flew the OA-37B, and was fortunate enough to get an ride in one and actually fly it for about 20 minutes. I understand there are several A-37's in civilian hands in Australia (well, at least 2!); do you have any history on them? Did the Australian Air Force fly them? I know they are still active in South America.

Dave,
Last week I flew in one of the A37s during an aerobatic routine - what an experience! We were flying lead at the time with the other A37 responsible for collision avoidance part of the time (we crossed over during the 360 turn, where they change roles with the other setting up the hit and us setting the miss). We were pulling about 3 1/2 Gs which might not sound a lot but it was hard to lift my arms, let alone hold a camera AND see the viewfinder without egressing my insides...
The routine was over very quickly, punctuated by the terse commands... smoke on...GO! Up..GO... combat turn... GO! Derry...GO! All the time with G forces and the view from the cockpit green, blue, green blue.
We mounted small cameras on the top of the fin looking forward, port mainplane looking at the cockpit, and also looking to the rear which is the best shot when the other A37 was 10 feet behind in a vertical climb with smoke on...
I also did some air to air of other aircraft from the 02, including filming the Wirraway and 01. I filmed the 02 from the back of the Wirraway. Quite a week and a half!.
Later this month I'll be back to do the same treatment for the Canberra (shooting from a T28 with modded canopy) and the Spitfire.