Design work on the first purpose-designed agricultural aircraft started in Czechoslovakia in 1961, with a cooperation of two manufacturers: Let Kunovice and Moravan. The first prototype, designated as XZ-37, first flew on 29 March 1963. 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. 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 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 fitted with winglets. The Z-37T was produced from 1985 until 1994, with a total of 51 aircraft built., including some Z-37T-2 two-seater trainers. Later production aircraft were redesignated Zlin Z-137T.
Operational history
The main user of Z-37s was Czechoslovakia 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 are 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.
The Zlín Z-37 has been used extensively in former Eastern Bloc countries, including its country of manufacture Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, East Germany and Hungary. It also saw service in Finland, India, Iraq and Yugoslavia.
