The venerable Bell 47
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hi flying lawyer and nucleus33.
i was told by the pasenger (a pilot) who gave me the photo that the aircraft was a bell 47k. about 1953.?
i am trying to ascertain this with bell.
i will let you know.
graeme
i was told by the pasenger (a pilot) who gave me the photo that the aircraft was a bell 47k. about 1953.?
i am trying to ascertain this with bell.
i will let you know.
graeme
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Ref;I'm a bell
Looks a bit like an "H" model that I flew in 1979 on a test flight post overhaul whilst working for the UK bell dealer. Had a Franklin engine and was so under-powered that the Flight Manual had a graphic description of how to do a running take-off and landing. When it was sat on the flight line - into wind - I lifted into the hover OK but when I put in yaw pedal to taxi over to the compass base it would sag back onto the ground. No wonder there weren't so many of them around!!!!
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imabell
I think it's a 47H-1 but, I know nothing about old helicopters and the very little I've learned has only been since falling in love with the Bell 47 after flying a couple at Blue Ridge Helicopters (Virginia) and Dutch Country Helicopters (near Philadelphia) last summer.
Here are some pictures of the H, J and K. See what you think.
Bell 47H-1
The H was a deluxe version of the 47G. Larry Bell is sitting in the middle.
Bell 47J
In 1957, a Bell 47J became the first Presidential helicopter. (The one in the photo, now in the National Air and Space Museum, Washington.) But not for long. Later in the same year, President Eisenhower had an unscheduled ride in a Sikorsky UH-34, liked the extra cabin space and the 47J was relegated to carrying VIPs and the Vice-President!
Bell 47K
The 47K appears to have been a limited production variant of the J, made for the US Navy as an instrument trainer. It had the basic 47J airframe from the firewall back, but with a modified cockpit.
Front view
Where's Lu Zuckerman when you need him?
He probably worked on all three models when they were the latest 'state of the art' helicopter.
FL
(Edit)
After relating a piece of American helicopter history, I thought the least I could do was find something Australian out of respect for you!
This float-equipped J was an experiment by Ansett to provide an airport to city helicopter shuttle between Essendon Airport, Vic. and a floating helipad in Melbourne's Yarra River. It worked and continued for 20 years until 1980, after which Reg Ansett used the helicopter for personal commuting.
I think it's a 47H-1 but, I know nothing about old helicopters and the very little I've learned has only been since falling in love with the Bell 47 after flying a couple at Blue Ridge Helicopters (Virginia) and Dutch Country Helicopters (near Philadelphia) last summer.
Here are some pictures of the H, J and K. See what you think.
Bell 47H-1
The H was a deluxe version of the 47G. Larry Bell is sitting in the middle.
Bell 47J
In 1957, a Bell 47J became the first Presidential helicopter. (The one in the photo, now in the National Air and Space Museum, Washington.) But not for long. Later in the same year, President Eisenhower had an unscheduled ride in a Sikorsky UH-34, liked the extra cabin space and the 47J was relegated to carrying VIPs and the Vice-President!
Bell 47K
The 47K appears to have been a limited production variant of the J, made for the US Navy as an instrument trainer. It had the basic 47J airframe from the firewall back, but with a modified cockpit.
Front view
Where's Lu Zuckerman when you need him?
He probably worked on all three models when they were the latest 'state of the art' helicopter.
FL
(Edit)
After relating a piece of American helicopter history, I thought the least I could do was find something Australian out of respect for you!
This float-equipped J was an experiment by Ansett to provide an airport to city helicopter shuttle between Essendon Airport, Vic. and a floating helipad in Melbourne's Yarra River. It worked and continued for 20 years until 1980, after which Reg Ansett used the helicopter for personal commuting.
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fl, thanks,
the photo of the h model looks like it could be the same aircraft as the one in my photo. mine is on the rooftop helipad of the doall tool company in chicago. that is my friend syd at the door.
you win!!!! pm your address.
i had a ride in reg ansett's 47, years ago obviously, when my dad worked for him.
graeme
the photo of the h model looks like it could be the same aircraft as the one in my photo. mine is on the rooftop helipad of the doall tool company in chicago. that is my friend syd at the door.
you win!!!! pm your address.
i had a ride in reg ansett's 47, years ago obviously, when my dad worked for him.
graeme
Bell 47 ?
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Alan Mann and Fast Helicopters both have Bell 47s.
AM's own machine is a G5A but that's offline and won't be available until some time later this year but they have access to a customer's machine, a G5.
Fast will have a B47 available at Shoreham in a few weeks. I don't know which model it is.
Check prices - Fast will probably be cheaper than AM.
Worth a try?
Definitely.
The Bell 47 is a wonderful helicopter.
If I had my time over and money was no object, I'd do my training in a B47.
AM's own machine is a G5A but that's offline and won't be available until some time later this year but they have access to a customer's machine, a G5.
Fast will have a B47 available at Shoreham in a few weeks. I don't know which model it is.
Check prices - Fast will probably be cheaper than AM.
Worth a try?
Definitely.
The Bell 47 is a wonderful helicopter. If I had my time over and money was no object, I'd do my training in a B47.
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I'll second that. Most of my experience is in the R22, and the governor makes you spoiled. The limited amount of time I spent in the B47 was a real treat. Learning to control RRPM with the collective, while leading with throttle, is a valuable skill. Besides, the visibility and nestalgia in the B47 can't be beat.
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A Bell 47 is a vastly different machine to the R22. It's wonderfully old fashioned and basic which means that you need good coordination on the throttle/ lever / pedals. It is slow to respond to throttle changes but wonderful in autorotation. Take a good book with you when doing engine-offs, plenty of time to pick a landing place and oodles of RRPM at the bottom. Note that it is much longer than the R 22 so keep space underneath when doing any flaring.
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The inertia in the rotor system does provide a false sense of security in the auto, yes it is reluctant to slow down and hence does remain stable, however the other side of it is that it is also slow to speed back up if you inadvertantly let it get on the low side.
The throttle correlation skills add a totally new dimension to basic elementary handling that Robbie pilots dont have to worry about. "Governor off" training in the R22 will teach you nought about flying a Bell 47, in fact the tendency for the R/RPM to increase markedly as you raise the collective from flat pitch to the hover in the 22 is opposite to what happens in the 47 (and most) helicopters
My 2 bobs worth, you will enjoy the challenge
The throttle correlation skills add a totally new dimension to basic elementary handling that Robbie pilots dont have to worry about. "Governor off" training in the R22 will teach you nought about flying a Bell 47, in fact the tendency for the R/RPM to increase markedly as you raise the collective from flat pitch to the hover in the 22 is opposite to what happens in the 47 (and most) helicopters
My 2 bobs worth, you will enjoy the challenge
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Bell 47
Chinese Fella.
Just a quick reply on your point of getting slow on the RPM's. I'm an instructor on the B47. If in the decent the RPM's does get a tad on the low side, if you turn both left and right on the decent, watch the RPM build then. If you have to perform a turn on the way down, go to the left, and watch the RPM build. Also with a big flare at the bottom, that helps too...
Also, in the hover you can let the RPM's decay and the D1 model will hold a hover, just, at 250 RPM's
If you do get the chance to practice this you maybe amazed. Hope this has enlightend some..
Regards,
Darren
Just a quick reply on your point of getting slow on the RPM's. I'm an instructor on the B47. If in the decent the RPM's does get a tad on the low side, if you turn both left and right on the decent, watch the RPM build then. If you have to perform a turn on the way down, go to the left, and watch the RPM build. Also with a big flare at the bottom, that helps too...
Also, in the hover you can let the RPM's decay and the D1 model will hold a hover, just, at 250 RPM's
If you do get the chance to practice this you maybe amazed. Hope this has enlightend some..
Regards,
Darren
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Coning
Mr Selfish
Thanks for your points. No I have never seen this from the outside, but I will however try to have a look. I do agree with the points you raised though. I was just stating that I find the D1 a great training aircraft, with a large RPM (Rotor) allowances, which I feel is Ideal for students, especially as you have to control the RPM'S manually. Or more so in an autorotation.
Darren
Thanks for your points. No I have never seen this from the outside, but I will however try to have a look. I do agree with the points you raised though. I was just stating that I find the D1 a great training aircraft, with a large RPM (Rotor) allowances, which I feel is Ideal for students, especially as you have to control the RPM'S manually. Or more so in an autorotation.
Darren
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47's
Hi Speechless,
Christ! you've had a time in the 47's!! Well for your information the 47 D1 I fly is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania tail number N4250A.
I have just over 800hrs in this machine, and touch wood has never let me down!!, it handles beatifly. The only problem I have is that it goes through spark plugs like they are going out of fashion!! It has the 210 Franklin engine. So I find I'm cleaning the plugs every 25 hrs, and replacing them at about 75 hrs
If you find yourself over in the USA PM me and I'll tell you where I am.
Regards,
Darren
Christ! you've had a time in the 47's!! Well for your information the 47 D1 I fly is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania tail number N4250A.
I have just over 800hrs in this machine, and touch wood has never let me down!!, it handles beatifly. The only problem I have is that it goes through spark plugs like they are going out of fashion!! It has the 210 Franklin engine. So I find I'm cleaning the plugs every 25 hrs, and replacing them at about 75 hrs
If you find yourself over in the USA PM me and I'll tell you where I am.
Regards,
Darren
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Blue Ridge mountains .....
Shenandoah Valley ......
Life is old there, older than the trees ......
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze .....
(With apologies to the late great John Denver)
Flying a Bell 47G-2 in Virginia
Shenandoah Valley ......
Life is old there, older than the trees ......
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze .....
(With apologies to the late great John Denver)
Flying a Bell 47G-2 in Virginia