Design work on a purpose-designed agricultural aircraft started in Czechoslovakia in 1961, with a cooperation of two manufacturers: Let Kunovice and Moravan (Zlin brand). The first prototype, designated as XZ-37, first flew on 29 March 1963[2] (other sources:29 June)[citation needed]. It was a cantilever low-wing monoplane of tubular metal construction, the wings and stabilizers covered with duralumin and the fuselage and control surfaces made of fabric. It had a fixed undercarriage with a fully castering tailwheel, but locked to the rudders for ground handling. The pilot's cockpit was in front, immediately behind a 315 hp radial engine, with a hopper for chemicals situated behind the cockpit. This offered the pilot a good view, but was potentially dangerous in case of an emergency landing. A mechanic could be seated behind the hopper, facing backwards.[2] There were also spray booms mounted under the wings. There is also a freight version with open space instead of hopper and spray equipment and a -3 variant with three passenger seats facing rearwards.
The aircraft was produced from 1965 under the designation Z-37. From 1971, the Z-37A was produced, with a strengthened construction. It was produced until 1975, and then in 1983-1984. A total of 677 were produced, including 27 two-seater Z-37A-2s for crew training.
On 6 September 1981 the prototype XZ-37T first flew, powered by a (691 shp) Walter M-601B turboprop engine. Two further prototypes of the definitive turboprop version, the Z-37T Agro Turbo, powered by a less powerful M-601Z engine, flew on 12 July and 29 December 1983. As well as the new engine, it had longer-span wings (13.63 m) fitted with winglets.[3]
The Z-37T was produced from 1985 until 1994, with a total of 51 aircraft built.,[4] including some Z-37T-2 two-seater trainers. Later production aircraft were redesignated Zlin Z-137T.[5]
Operational historyedit
The main user of Z-37s was Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia) along with East Germany and other Eastern Bloc countries. Many were exported to the Sudan and India and flown there almost non-stop with the hopper used as extra fuel tank. Variants are as far afield as England and the USA. Current use is limited because of fuel costs and is now used mainly in Slovakia. Many are used for glider towing, having the ability to easily tow two gliders and often transport four gliders in tow for cross country.
A record has been set by a Z 137T in Slovakia, towing nine two-seat gliders.[6]
Variantsedit
Z-37
XZ-37
First prototype.
Z-37
First production version built between 1965 and 1971.
Z-37A
Second production version with strengthened construction. Built between 1971 and 1975 and later between 1983 and 1984, 650 built.
Z-37A-2
Two-seat version for crew training, 27 built.
Z-37A-3
Pilot plus three passenger version. Conversion of "A" version. Rear-facing seats.
Z-37 Čmelák
XZ-37T
Prototype of the turboprop version powered by Walter M-601B engine, built in 1981.
Z-37T Agro Turbo
Turboprop version with bigger span wings, powered by Walter M-601Z engine and built between 1985 and 1987. 28 built including Z-37T-2 trainer.
Z-37T-2
Two-seat turboprop version for crew training built between 1985 and 1987.
Z-137T
Further development version.
Operatorsedit
The Zlín Z-37 has been used extensively in former Eastern Bloc countries, including its country of manufacture Czechoslovakia (Slov-Air being a major operator), Bulgaria, East Germany and Hungary. It also saw service in Finland, India, Iraq and Yugoslavia.
Aircraft on displayedit
Bulgaria
Zlin Z-37 on display at the Aviation Museum in Plovdiv.[7]
Czech Republic
Let Z-37 Čmelák on display at the Letecké Muzeum Kunovice in Kunovice.[8]
Fuel capacity: 125 L (33 US gal; 27 imp gal) in standard left hand centre-section tank, with optional 125 L (33 US gal; 27 imp gal) in right hand centre-section.
Provision for two externally carried fuel transport tanks of 125 L (33 US gal; 27 imp gal) each, for refuelling on site.
zlin, Čmelák, czech, bumblebee, also, known, Čmelák, agricultural, aircraft, which, manufactured, czechoslovakia, powered, soviet, built, ivchenko, reciprocating, engine, aircraft, used, mainly, cropduster, Čmelák, registered, role, agricultural, aircraft, man. The Zlin Z 37 Cmelak Czech Bumblebee also known as LET Z 37 Cmelak is an agricultural aircraft which was manufactured in Czechoslovakia It is powered by a Soviet built Ivchenko reciprocating engine 1 The aircraft is used mainly as a cropduster Z 37 Cmelak UK registered Z 37 2 Role Agricultural aircraft Manufacturer Let Moravan First flight 29 June 1963 Status In use Primary user Czechoslovak civilian aviation Produced 1965 1987 Number built 713 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Aircraft on display 6 Specifications Z 37A agricultural version 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksDesign and development editDesign work on a purpose designed agricultural aircraft started in Czechoslovakia in 1961 with a cooperation of two manufacturers Let Kunovice and Moravan Zlin brand The first prototype designated as XZ 37 first flew on 29 March 1963 2 other sources 29 June citation needed It was a cantilever low wing monoplane of tubular metal construction the wings and stabilizers covered with duralumin and the fuselage and control surfaces made of fabric It had a fixed undercarriage with a fully castering tailwheel but locked to the rudders for ground handling The pilot s cockpit was in front immediately behind a 315 hp radial engine with a hopper for chemicals situated behind the cockpit This offered the pilot a good view but was potentially dangerous in case of an emergency landing A mechanic could be seated behind the hopper facing backwards 2 There were also spray booms mounted under the wings There is also a freight version with open space instead of hopper and spray equipment and a 3 variant with three passenger seats facing rearwards The aircraft was produced from 1965 under the designation Z 37 From 1971 the Z 37A was produced with a strengthened construction It was produced until 1975 and then in 1983 1984 A total of 677 were produced including 27 two seater Z 37A 2s for crew training On 6 September 1981 the prototype XZ 37T first flew powered by a 691 shp Walter M 601B turboprop engine Two further prototypes of the definitive turboprop version the Z 37T Agro Turbo powered by a less powerful M 601Z engine flew on 12 July and 29 December 1983 As well as the new engine it had longer span wings 13 63 m fitted with winglets 3 The Z 37T was produced from 1985 until 1994 with a total of 51 aircraft built 4 including some Z 37T 2 two seater trainers Later production aircraft were redesignated Zlin Z 137T 5 Operational history editThe main user of Z 37s was Czechoslovakia now the Czech Republic and Slovakia along with East Germany and other Eastern Bloc countries Many were exported to the Sudan and India and flown there almost non stop with the hopper used as extra fuel tank Variants are as far afield as England and the USA Current use is limited because of fuel costs and is now used mainly in Slovakia Many are used for glider towing having the ability to easily tow two gliders and often transport four gliders in tow for cross country A record has been set by a Z 137T in Slovakia towing nine two seat gliders 6 Variants edit nbsp Z 37 XZ 37 First prototype Z 37 First production version built between 1965 and 1971 Z 37A Second production version with strengthened construction Built between 1971 and 1975 and later between 1983 and 1984 650 built Z 37A 2 Two seat version for crew training 27 built Z 37A 3 Pilot plus three passenger version Conversion of A version Rear facing seats nbsp Z 37 Cmelak XZ 37T Prototype of the turboprop version powered by Walter M 601B engine built in 1981 Z 37T Agro Turbo Turboprop version with bigger span wings powered by Walter M 601Z engine and built between 1985 and 1987 28 built including Z 37T 2 trainer Z 37T 2 Two seat turboprop version for crew training built between 1985 and 1987 Z 137T Further development version Operators editThe Zlin Z 37 has been used extensively in former Eastern Bloc countries including its country of manufacture Czechoslovakia Slov Air being a major operator Bulgaria East Germany and Hungary It also saw service in Finland India Iraq and Yugoslavia Aircraft on display editBulgaria Zlin Z 37 on display at the Aviation Museum in Plovdiv 7 Czech Republic Let Z 37 Cmelak on display at the Letecke Muzeum Kunovice in Kunovice 8 Serbia 819 Let Z 37A on display at the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade 9 New Zealand 851004 Let Z 37T on display at the Ashburton Aviation Museum in Ashburton Canterbury 10 Specifications Z 37A agricultural version edit nbsp Z 37 3 view drawing nbsp Z 37 3 cockpit Data from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1976 77 11 General characteristicsCrew one pilot Capacity 1 mechanic optional 650 L 170 US gal 140 imp gal or 600 kg 1 300 lb of chemicals Length 8 55 m 28 ft 1 in Wingspan 12 22 m 40 ft 1 in Height 2 9 m 9 ft 6 in Wing area 23 8 m2 256 sq ft Airfoil root NACA 33015 tip NACA 44012A 12 Empty weight 1 043 kg 2 299 lb Gross weight 1 850 kg 4 079 lb Max takeoff weight 1 850 kg 4 079 lb Fuel capacity 125 L 33 US gal 27 imp gal in standard left hand centre section tank with optional 125 L 33 US gal 27 imp gal in right hand centre section Provision for two externally carried fuel transport tanks of 125 L 33 US gal 27 imp gal each for refuelling on site dd dd dd Powerplant 1 Avia M462RF 9 cylinder air cooled supercharged radial piston engine 235 kW 315 hp Propellers 2 bladed Avia V 520 constant speed propeller Performance Maximum speed 210 km h 130 mph 110 kn Cruise speed 170 km h 110 mph 92 kn at 1 500 m 4 900 ft Operating speed 120 km h 75 mph 65 kn Stall speed 90 km h 56 mph 49 kn flaps up 81 km h 50 mph 44 kn flaps down dd dd dd Never exceed speed 270 km h 170 mph 150 kn Rate of climb 3 7 m s 730 ft min Wing loading 77 7 kg m2 15 9 lb sq ft Power mass 0 077 hp lb 0 127 kW kg Minimum ground turning radius 5 68 m 18 6 ft Take off run 150 m 490 ft Landing run 122 m 400 ft See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era CAC Ceres PZL 106 Kruk Rockwell Thrush CommanderReferences edit Industry Observer Aviation Week amp Space Technology September 23 1963 v 79 no 13 p 23 a b J W R Taylor 1976 p 30 J W R Taylor 1988 p 52 History of production of ZLIN aircraft Zlin Aircraft Archived from the original on October 24 2007 Retrieved 2008 11 03 M Taylor 1996 p 389 Zlin 137t towing nine gliders YouTube Archived from the original on 2021 12 21 Retrieved January 23 2019 AIRCRAFTS sic COLLECTION Aviation Museum Retrieved 9 July 2018 Let Z 37 Cmelak Letecke Muzeum Kunovice 9 July 2019 Muzej Yugoslovenskog Ratnog Vazduhoplovstva AviationMuseum eu Retrieved 9 July 2018 Zlin Agri Plane Ashburton Aviation Museum The Ashburton Aviation Museum Retrieved 9 July 2018 J W R Taylor 1976 pp 30 31 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 Taylor J W R ed 1976 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1976 77 London Macdonald and Jane s ISBN 0 354 00538 3 Taylor J W R ed 1988 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1988 1989 Coulsden Surrey UK Jane s Information Group ISBN 0 7106 0867 5 Taylor Michael ed 1996 Brassey s World Aircraft amp Systems Directory 1999 97 Edition London Brassey s ISBN 1 85753 198 1 Mau Hans Joachim 1987 Tschechoslowakische Flugzeuge von 1918 bis heute in German 1st ed Berlin Transpress ISBN 3 344 00121 3 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zlin Z 37 Photos of Cmelak in action Photos at Airliners net Photo and description permanent dead link in Slovak Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zlin Z 37 Cmelak amp oldid 1178217549, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
