Originally Posted by Flight, Sept 25th 1947, p 347
AT the end of August a new company, Irvin-Bell Helicopter Sales, Ltd., which has been formed to "keep the United Kingdom in the closest possible touch with helicopter development," gave its first demonstration of the Bell 47B to a small but important gathering at Prestwick Airport, location of the company's engineering and training division. Last Thursday, September 18th, another demonstration was given at Hanworth airfield and was attended by senior representatives of the Services, Ministries, Corporations and industry. The machine was put through its paces by "Jimmy" Youell, who finally placed it precisely on the lawn of the Hanworth Park Hotel which had been very appropriately chosen as a meeting place for the occasion. Irvin-Bell Helicopter Sales, Ltd. has resulted from the collaboration of Scottish Aviation, Ltd., with Mr. Leslie L. Irvin, founder of the Irving Air Chute Company, and the directors are the four of Scottish Aviation, namely, the Duke of Hamilton, Sir Ernest Lemon, Mr. D. F. Mclntyre and the Earl of Selkirk, together with Mr. Leslie Irvin, Captain Cyril Turner and Captain A. B. H. Youell of the Irving Air Chute Co. The head offices of the company are at Ickneild Way, Letchworth, Herts.