The Bell 47 is a multipurpose light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. It was derived from the Bell 30 prototype and was designed with a single rotor and a single Lycoming engine. The Bell 47 was the first helicopter that has been certified to be used for civilian transport.

Manufacturer:
Bell Helicopter
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1946 to: 1974
ICAO:
B47G
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
1x Lycoming TVO-435-F1A
Piston
Power:
280 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
91 knots
169 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
Travel range:
214 Nautical Miles
396 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
11,000 feet
Rate of Climb:
860 feet / minute
4.37metre / second
Take Off Distance:
Landing Distance:
Max Take Off Weight:
1,340 Kg
2,954 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
482 Kg
1,063 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
29 gallon
110 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
2 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
9.6 metre - 31.50 feet
Tail height:
2.8 metre - 9.19 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
1.5 metre - 4.92 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
11.3 metre - 37.07 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

Blog Mentions

Blog posts that mention the Bell 47:

In late 1946, the Bell 47 entered service with the United States Military. The helicopter performed different roles in different variants for thirty years. The H-13 Sioux was the United States army’s designation, and throughout the course of the Korean War, it operated as a reconnaissance helicopter, as well as SAR helicopter and medevac.

On July 3, 1958, Telecopter, a Bell Model 47 went into operation and set a record as the world’s first television news helicopter with KTLA chief engineer onboard, John F. Silva. The Telecopter was fitted with a television camera and was leased to the television station KTLA virtual channel 5 in Los Angeles, California.

The Bell 47 had also been in service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the project Apollo. The helicopters were operated by astronauts as trainers for the Apollo Lunar Module.

On May 13, 1949, an altitude record of 18,500 feet was achieved by a Bell 47. On September 21, 1950, it set a record for being the first helicopter flying over the highest and most extensive mountain range in Europe, the Alps. On September 17, 1952, a world distance record for the helicopter was set when Capt. Elton J. Smith flew nonstop from Hurst, Texas to Buffalo, New York in a 1,057 nautical mile range.

The Bell 47 has an external length of 9.6 meters, a height of 2.8 meters, and a width of 1.5 meters. The main rotor diameter is 11.33 meters and the main rotor area is 100.8 square meters. The helicopter is powered by a single Lycoming TVO-435-F1A engine. It is a six-cylinder, horizontally opposed gasoline piston engine with overhead valve, Marvel-Schebler carburetor, pressure pump oil system, air-cooled by fan cooling system, and a direct drive reduction gear. It has a maximum thrust of 280 horsepower.

The helicopter has a maximum speed of 91 knots and a cruise speed of 73 knots. The travel range is 214 nautical miles, the service ceiling is 11,000 feet, and the rate of climb is 860 feet per minute.

Want More of This?
We'll send you our latest and best content straight to your inbox
Featured Image

All Bell Helicopter Aircraft

More Like This
Kazan Aktai
Light Helicopters
Kazan Aktai
Enstrom 280FX Shark
Light Helicopters
Enstrom 280FX Shark
Enstrom 480B
Light Helicopters
Enstrom 480B
Enstrom F28F
Light Helicopters
Enstrom F28F
PZL Swidnik SW-4
Light Helicopters
PZL Swidnik SW-4
Kamov Ka-115
Light Helicopters
Kamov Ka-115