Bell Wing Ding
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1963 · helicopter
The Bell Wing Ding was a 1960s compound helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. It was an experimental conversion of a Bell 47.
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:
- Bell 47 helicopter fitted with a 25 ft fixed wing behind the canopy and above the engine
- Slightly tapered wing with no dihedral
- Four-wheeled landing gear in place of skids, with fuel tanks at the wingtips
It looks like a Bell 47 with a Piper Comanche wing set behind the canopy and above the engine. Fuel tanks were later moved to the wingtips.
Specifications
- The Bell Wing Ding has a length of 9.63 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.51 m (38 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell wanted an aircraft that could lift greater payloads than a standard helicopter when hovering while using the conventional takeoff and landing of an aeroplane. It was built around a 1958 Bell 47G-2A-1 and first flew at Amon Carter Field, Fort Worth, in May 1963.
Variants
The wing was a 25 ft unit from a Piper Comanche, fitted with flaps and ailerons. A small all-flying elevator was added ahead of the tail rotor and the ventral fin was enlarged.
Where you'll see it
Tests continued through to May 1964 under FAA registration N6723D, which stayed active until 2007. It was flown cross-country at 100 mph, but the wings proved too large for acceptable handling and performance.
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- Bell 205A
- Bell AH-1 Cobra
- Bell UH-1D Iroquois
- Agusta / Westland AB 47G-3B-1
- Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100
- FH-1100 Phoenix
- MD 500
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