Agusta AB 47J-3
Agusta · Italy · first flew 1960 · helicopter
The Agusta AB 47J-3 is an Italian licence-built version of the Bell 47J Ranger, featuring a fully enclosed four-seat cabin for corporate, VIP, and utility transport roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fully enclosed fuselage distinguishes it from open-cockpit Bell 47G variants |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian Bell 47J licence-build with enclosed four-seat cabin instead of bubble canopy
- Lattice tail boom, two-blade rotor, skid undercarriage
- Fully enclosed fuselage distinguishes it from open-cockpit Bell 47G variants
The enclosed streamlined cabin body distinguishes the AB 47J-3 from the classic bubble-cockpit Bell 47G family; lattice tail boom and two-blade rotor confirm the Bell 47 lineage.
Specifications
- The Agusta AB 47J-3 has a length of 9.19 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.28 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Agusta of Cascina Costa held a manufacturing licence from Bell Helicopters from the 1950s, building numerous Bell 47 variants for Italian and export markets. The 47J-3 featured the enclosed-cabin Ranger configuration rather than the open bubble cockpit of the 47G family, making it more suitable for executive and instrument-flight roles. Italian civil and military operators used the type widely.
Variants
The AB 47J-3 is one of several Agusta Bell 47 variants; others include the AB 47G-2 and AB 47G-3B, which used the open-cockpit configuration.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Italian police, emergency services, and private owners through the 1960s and 1970s; also exported to several European and South American operators.
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