Bell 47

[stephem w]

Hi can anybody please help me I am very serious about buying a bell 47G to learn to fly I have been told they was the safest helicopter to fly that's why army navy Air Force used them is there any rated instructors or anybody give me any information about these helicopters regards stephen

[FLY 7]

I don't know much about the B47, although they are held in great affection.

You'd have to weigh up the pros and cons of a relatively rare, elderly helicopter with more modern machinery.

If safety is a primary concern then you could consider an Enstrom. S.300Cs are also pretty good - US Army trained their pilots on its forerunner.

[topendtorque]

Also used as a Lunar Landing Module Simulator by the Late Neil Armstrong.

Best helicopter invented. Gives you plenty of time to make mistakes before they stop flying, so too the Enstrom.

cheers tet.

[muffin]

There are several B47s in Yorkshire so you are in the right place. Ask Aero Maintenance at Walton Wood near Pontefract.

[misterbonkers]

AeroMaintenance don't look after Bell 47s anymore.

There is a smaller outfit in Dewsbury who specialise in looking after Bell 47s (I think 8 now!). They are making progress with regards to keeping these aircraft flying long term.

They are Annex 2 aircraft now under EASA too so they are slightly more cost effective and easy to maintain than they used to be.

Cracking helicopter and VERY safe.

PROs - The view, the nostalgia, the inertia, nice roomy cabin, easy to hangar (2-bladed). A man's machine because you have to fly it!

CONs - The speed, the fuel burn (unless you get a G5), you have to be a fettler to own one (cleaning, greasing, checking - as with all classic vehicles)

There are still instructors and examiners in Yorkshire/Midlands so learning to fly on one will not be an issue. If you're in Doncaster then there is a very experienced Bell 47 instructor at Sherburn and I'll be happy to come over and conduct your flight test at the end of your training.

I've flown a wide range of helicopters from the R22 up to the Dauphin and I'd always make room in my dream hangar for a Bell 47!

[Gemini Twin]

They are indeed a great helicopter and make a wonderful trainer. I have been involved with them since the mid 60's in NZ when our company used to import new ones from Fort Worth, In fact we purchased one of the last ones built in 1973, a wonderful 47G-3B-2A. Trained our own pilots after they served a 12 month "apprenticeship" as a loader. In my next life I installed many 250 C20's and C20B's, making them even better.
Be careful if you do intend to buy one as parts can be pricey. Scott's Bell 47 is the new TC holder and doing everything they can to get the support program up and running. There are still quite a few out there still doing well, what they have been doing well for the last 60 odd years.
I hope you can find one.

[IMO]

Mrbonkers you are wrong sir, Aero Maintenance at Walton Wood are still a fully CAA approved maintenance facility for the Bell 47.I'm not aware of another 'approved' facility at Dewsbury. I've looked in the list of CAA approved organisations and cannot find it?

[misterbonkers]

IMO - The last time I spoke to Walton Wood their present Chief Engineer told me they were no longer going to look after Bell 47s? But I suppose they could have since changed their minds?

The CAA lists of Organisations appear to be dated May 2013 so are not the most up to date?

In any event if you're going to be owning an Bell 47 you want an engineer that is very experienced on type.

[parabellum]

One of the cheapest instruments to maintain on the Bell47G-3B1 was the Slip Indicator, you need a ball of wool, a pair of scissors and some Cello tape!

A really lovely aeroplane to fly and a good basic trainer too. Would have thought some of the ex British Army ones were still about? A call to Westland Helicopters, near Yeovil, may provide you with some information as they built the Bell under licence.

[misterbonkers]

Currently 15 showing on the UK register. Not all of them are still flying though :(

[FLY 7]

The Scotts Bell website Welcome to Scott's-Bell 47 (http://www.scottsbell47.com/) does give buyers/owners grounds to be optimistic that the B47 still has a viable future.

[Darren999]

There are still a lot here in the US I have a couple that I know are for sale ranging from G3's to a D1.
Great helicopter, wonderful to teach in. If I can be of help please drop me a line..

Regards
Darren

[Phoinix]

Anybody got a hold of HOGE chart for this legend? In particular b47j… if possible. Thanks for any input.

[malabo]

G2 and J have the same engine I think, VO-435, so HOGE charts could be similar. Here's two charts for the G2, one for the original wooden blades and the other for the updated metal blades. Looks like all you Thai offshore guys were right about the effect of humidity on the S76A charts.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/457x644/screen_shot_2022_11_25_at_10_27_40_am_f6555abd67c8ba6cc82314 7df7c4efc4a4df55d0.png



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/518x615/screen_shot_2022_11_25_at_10_20_46_am_c092007a2d61745b4dbc1f 500bfacd5546de3edc.png

[Phoinix]

Thank you! Is there a table for max gross weight? About 2950 lbs I reckon?

So they went for metal blades, gaining life limits, but got less performance out of them? Weird.

[212man]

G2 and J have the same engine I think, VO-435, so HOGE charts could be similar. Here's two charts for the G2, one for the original wooden blades and the other for the updated metal blades. Looks like all you Thai offshore guys were right about the effect of humidity on the S76A charts.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/457x644/screen_shot_2022_11_25_at_10_27_40_am_f6555abd67c8ba6cc82314 7df7c4efc4a4df55d0.png



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/518x615/screen_shot_2022_11_25_at_10_20_46_am_c092007a2d61745b4dbc1f 500bfacd5546de3edc.png
Not sure how you can have any humidity at -25C!

[Cornish Jack]

One of the cheapest instruments to maintain on the Bell47G-3B1 was the Slip Indicator, you need a ball of wool, a pair of scissors and some Cello tape!

A really lovely aeroplane to fly and a good basic trainer too. Would have thought some of the ex British Army ones were still about? A call to Westland Helicopters, near Yeovil, may provide you with some information as they built the Bell under licence.
Not just any old ball of wool ... genuine Merino, if you please !
Only one trip at TH in the 60s - definitely more cyclic 'arm exercise' than the Whirlwind, but the view ...!!! and the (demonstrated) eol, followed by a climb to 10' and a further, controlled landing.! Rotor inertia aplenty !:D

[ericferret]

IMO - The last time I spoke to Walton Wood their present Chief Engineer told me they were no longer going to look after Bell 47s? But I suppose they could have since changed their minds?

The CAA lists of Organisations appear to be dated May 2013 so are not the most up to date?

In any event if you're going to be owning an Bell 47 you want an engineer that is very experienced on type.


I have a UK contact who maintains a number of 47's both here and abroard.
If the aircraft is not used commercially you only need an engineer and Part M support.
I maintain a fixed wing using this arrangement.

[Hughes500]

friend owned one, his starter motor went bang, over £ 2k for a new one where as Lycoming one a couple of hundred !!

[meleagertoo]

Whilst agreeing wholeheartedly about the fun, safety, ideal trainer etc I'd caution any prospective buyer who intends actually going anywhere in one that 60mph cruising speed is simply impractical. With a 20kt headwind you're being overtaken by mopeds...
I'd opt for an Enstrom every time simply on the grounds of practicality.

[albatross]

Whilst agreeing wholeheartedly about the fun, safety, ideal trainer etc I'd caution any prospective buyer who intends actually going anywhere in one that 60mph cruising speed is simply impractical. With a 20kt headwind you're being overtaken by mopeds...
I'd opt for an Enstrom every time simply on the grounds of practicality.

From a Facebook site.
”Reminds me of a story from the 50’s. Pilot and Engineer enroute to Churchill Manitoba following the railway in a 47 on bags
The weather is bad, The headwinds strong. Fuel is a serious concern.
From out of the snow they spy a freight train proceeding to Churchill. A brilliant plan is formed.
“Land on empty flat car, Shut down, ride in comfort to Churchill.”
A landing is made, engine cooling down, smiles and chuckles.
Rail line passes through a swampy area. Telephone lines have been moved much closer to the track.
Horrible ”Bang“ as blades hit the pole.
Red faces in the bubble.
Embarrassing phone call back to head office.
”Sudden Stoppage” inspection needed. Blades, head, Transmission ect. changed.”

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/370x136/e586064c_04ba_4468_a718_17df9c7b9d26_0d1db50326b6f0b413ff0db 4c6b5332bbabc5d09.jpeg

Photo of a model 47 on a Lionel Toy train set flat car.

[tcamiga]

A bit of a breeze helps - GPs has 96 KTs :)




https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1274x1529/screenshot_2022_11_27_112835_c3e89e1f84a48f81b190a4fc55f5107 6a729eaf2.jpg

[Ascend Charlie]

Bad luck if you want to go the other way, Amiga!