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.