Bell 47 to Get Rolls Royce Turbine Engine ?

[FLY 7]

Here - News | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source

[TRC]

What, and call it a Soloy?

I thought 47 parts were getiing hard to find, and all the AD's on them were making them too expensive to keep.

[PANews]

The airframe company involved is bringing the 47 back to the market with new parts, a new MRB and tail rotor were included. Not sure how successful they have been, it all looks glitzy but there needs to be substance as well.

Neil Marshall coordinated the long-term product upgrade strategy for the Bell 429 from 2004 until August 2010 then moved to work with the Bell 47 team in 2011. He served as a Bell representative at major international trade shows and events including Helitech. He has just announced that his latest role title is the General Management Consultant at Scott's Bell 47 Inc

[SASless]

Given the choice of a Bell 47 or a Hiller 12E with a turbine engine.....it is a no brainer.....go with the Hiller! It will perform well against the MD-500 load wise but not in speed.

[krypton_john]

Lots of parts available for B47 from ScotsBell47, and they are developing new composite blades. They also have an upgrade/refurb service.

Welcome to Scott's-Bell 47

[rotormatic]

"The capability of the current Bell 47 M250 powered STC helicopter speaks for itself"

With a RR300 (250-300), the 47 will not perform as well as a Soloy 47 with a 250-C20B.

The RR300 is rated at 300 HP for take off, 240 HP max continuous . The C20B is rated at 420 HP for take off, 385 HP max continuous.

Altitude performance will suffer. The Soloy 47 can outlift the 206B at 8500 feet.

[topendtorque]

The C20B is rated at 420 HP for take off, 385 HP max continuous.

Yep that's good, but it sounds a bit like one of Kiwis talking about the R22 Beta II in one of their videos;-

It develops 180hp!

Yeah but you can't use it all can you? The little blue book that Frank gave us with the machine tells you that if you care to read it.

Could you let us know what is the power rating of the RR300 at 8,500 feet? Any better than 220 hp max cont or 285 wide open (can't remember whether that was 2 or 5 minute limit) and we have enough to fit the little blue book, why it might even be lighter than the C20B and give us a weight saving to boot?

[rotormatic]

The Bell 47 with a 900 series transmission is limited to 280 HP, 5 minute limit.

In the Soloy Conversion, it is torque limited to 65 psi of torque pressure. You don't use all the thermodynamic power of the engine until you go up to altitude.

At altitude it becomes temp limited (810 degrees C).

The C20B weighs 161 pounds without a starter generator.

The 300 weighs 176 pounds without a starter generator.

Max TOT on the 300 is 782 degrees C. Less temperature margin at altitude.

The C20B has better altitude performance, and is a lighter engine.

[topendtorque]

Thanks RM, pretty much sorts it! Cycle limits or anything else going for it?

[rotormatic]

C20B overhaul, life limited parts requirements:

Compressor:

3500 hour overhaul.

Impeller life: 3550 hours, 9150 cycles.

Gearbox: On condition.

Turbine:

1750 mid term inspection (HMI)

#1 and #2 Turbine wheel life: 1775 hours, 3000 cycles

3500 hour overhaul

#3 and #4 wheel life: 4550 hours, 6000 cycles

Fuel control overhaul: 2500 hours

Governor overhaul: 2000 hours

Fuel nozzle overhaul: 2500 hours

Bleed valve overhaul: 1500 hours.

Fuel pump overhaul: 2500 hours.



RR 300 overhaul, life limited parts requirements:

Engine: 2000 hour overhaul (includes accessories).

Compressor:

Impeller: 10,000 hours, 15,000 cycles.

Turbine:

#1 and #2 Wheel life: 2000 hours, 3000 cycles

#3 and #4 wheel life: 4000 hours, 6000 cycles.