The venerable Bell 47
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
From: Goathland
Mine in North Yorkshire.... This pic taken by the nice chaps at Old Buck last weekend.
Westland Helicopters Ltd Westland Bell 47G-3B-1 G-BFYI on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Kev.
Westland Helicopters Ltd Westland Bell 47G-3B-1 G-BFYI on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Kev.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Cambridgeshire, UK
Bell 47 in UN service, Cyprus- Questions?
Hello all,
I am currently working on a historic 1/72 scale model diorama, depicting a Bell 47/Sioux helicopter in UN service in Cyprus during the 1970's. I am building this model for a friend and now retired RAF colleague.
During his service he flew Pumas with 33 Squadron. In Cyprus he flew 84 Squadron Whirlwinds, in addition to the Bell 47.
He states categorically the Bell 47'ss he flew in Cyprus were finished in an 'all white' paint scheme with the customary blue UN badges carried in place of the usual RAF/Army Roundel. However, I'm having no luck in finding any information/photos confirming this colour scheme or the style of any markings/lettering carried.
The only photos I can find anywhere show a restored Bell 47 (XT223) finished in green with UN markings and customary pale blue areas on the tail and fuel tanks. If anyone can provide any information/photos from any angle, or know of anyone else I can contact who may be able to help me with the all white colour scheme I would be very grateful to hear from them.
Just to let you know, In my attempts to resolve this issue I have so far been in contact with the 84 Squadron Members association, The Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group and the AAC museum at Middle Wallop. All have been extremely helpful but can find nothing relating to the all white colour scheme. In addition, as an IPMS UK, my enquiry has been included in the latest IPMS UK magazine.
Best regards,
Del
I am currently working on a historic 1/72 scale model diorama, depicting a Bell 47/Sioux helicopter in UN service in Cyprus during the 1970's. I am building this model for a friend and now retired RAF colleague.
During his service he flew Pumas with 33 Squadron. In Cyprus he flew 84 Squadron Whirlwinds, in addition to the Bell 47.
He states categorically the Bell 47'ss he flew in Cyprus were finished in an 'all white' paint scheme with the customary blue UN badges carried in place of the usual RAF/Army Roundel. However, I'm having no luck in finding any information/photos confirming this colour scheme or the style of any markings/lettering carried.
The only photos I can find anywhere show a restored Bell 47 (XT223) finished in green with UN markings and customary pale blue areas on the tail and fuel tanks. If anyone can provide any information/photos from any angle, or know of anyone else I can contact who may be able to help me with the all white colour scheme I would be very grateful to hear from them.
Just to let you know, In my attempts to resolve this issue I have so far been in contact with the 84 Squadron Members association, The Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group and the AAC museum at Middle Wallop. All have been extremely helpful but can find nothing relating to the all white colour scheme. In addition, as an IPMS UK, my enquiry has been included in the latest IPMS UK magazine.
Best regards,
Del
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 73
From: England
While making allowance for the passage of 35 years I remember the aircraft being prepared for Cyprus in 1976 at 70 Field Workshops Middle Wallop.
The aircraft were painted all white when they left. I have no memory of any UN markings. Possibly they were applied in Cyprus or I just cannot remember them.
The aircraft were painted all white when they left. I have no memory of any UN markings. Possibly they were applied in Cyprus or I just cannot remember them.
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 880
Likes: 38
From: Once a Squirrel Heaven (or hell!), Shropshire UK
I'm certain the Sioux I had the opportunity to fly (in) in Cyprus was white all over with the UN markings on the side although I don't remember the big UN on the nose (was that immediately after invasion?).
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
Caption for that photo was "UNFICYP was created by the U.N. Security Council in 1964 in an effort to prevent outbreaks of fighting between the Greek and Turkish communities in the island republic founded four years earlier. The total present strength of UNFICYP is over three thousand men from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. A Sioux helicopter of the UN Aviation Flight about to take off from the helipad at UNFICYP camp near Nicosia International airport, on an reconnaisance flight. 26 September 1974"
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 73
From: England
The all white UN Sioux were I think the last Sioux to undergo major inspections at Wallop.
Just after they departed I was given the job of removing all the spare doors held on the major line and destroying them by bending them double between the gate post and the wall of the scrap metal compound.
Due to the differences in bubble shape a large number of doors were held and for each major the best fitting doors were selected by trial and error.
Looking at the photos above I would suggest that at least two different colour schemes were used in Cyprus with the all white being the last.
Not sure how long they served before being replaced by the Alouette 2.
Just after they departed I was given the job of removing all the spare doors held on the major line and destroying them by bending them double between the gate post and the wall of the scrap metal compound.
Due to the differences in bubble shape a large number of doors were held and for each major the best fitting doors were selected by trial and error.
Looking at the photos above I would suggest that at least two different colour schemes were used in Cyprus with the all white being the last.
Not sure how long they served before being replaced by the Alouette 2.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 73
From: England
Funny how the mind works, my only other recollection of these aircraft was that they were fitted with crashworthy breakaway connections for the fuel tanks. Sticks in my mind because the civvy aircraft were later fitted with a similar system but a different design.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Old Bell 47 photo
Just remembered that years ago I saw an old photo of a Bell47 hovering, the aircraft was stripped down to minimum weight, and the payload was something like maybe 10 "passengers" standing on the skids and the frame, holding on to whatever they could find.
It sure looked hillarious. Anyone by chance got a digital copy of it?
It sure looked hillarious. Anyone by chance got a digital copy of it?
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: ITALIA
old Bell47
I should have a printed copy of it in an old book if I can find it I will scan it for ya.
I have a couple of interesting big prints too of a Bell 47 B1 model, the one four wheels and doors like an car, just in front of the Bell Aircraft Corporation Building, and a singular navy version for the Italian navy.
Let me give you what I got though.
I have a couple of interesting big prints too of a Bell 47 B1 model, the one four wheels and doors like an car, just in front of the Bell Aircraft Corporation Building, and a singular navy version for the Italian navy.
Let me give you what I got though.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 10th May 2011 at 21:44.
