Bell 47
Bell Aircraft · United States · first flew 1945 · helicopter
The Bell 47 is one of the most recognisable helicopters ever built, defined by its bubble canopy and bare lattice tail boom, and was the first type certified for civil use.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.63 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Iconic clear soap-bubble Plexiglas canopy
- Exposed open welded-tube lattice tail boom with no skin
- Two-blade rotor with stabiliser bar, skids and saddle fuel tanks
Nothing else mixes the glass bubble cockpit with a completely uncovered triangulated tail boom. The two-blade rotor with its weighted stabiliser bar and twin saddle tanks confirm it.
Specifications
- The Bell 47 has a length of 9.63 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.33 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1945, the piston-engined Model 47 gained the world's first commercial helicopter certificate in March 1946. More than 5,600 were built, and it became famous for Korean War and M*A*S*H-style casualty evacuation.
Variants
Numerous marks appeared, including the 47D, the definitive bubble-canopy 47G and the 47J Ranger. In Britain the type was licence-built by Westland as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2.
Where you'll see it
As the Westland Sioux it was the standard light observation and training helicopter of the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop from the mid-1960s. Elsewhere it served countless military and civil operators in training, observation and agricultural roles.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.