Bell 47 | |
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General information | |
Type | Multipurpose light helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft Bell Helicopter |
Designer | |
Primary users | United States Army |
Number built | 5,600 |
History | |
Manufactured | 1946–1974 |
Introduction date | 1946 |
First flight | December 8, 1945 |
Developed from | Bell 30 |
Variants | Bell H-13 Sioux Bell 47J Ranger Kawasaki KH-4 |
The Bell 47 is a single-rotor single-engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was based on the third Bell 30 prototype, which was the company's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young. The 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946.[1][2] The first civilian delivery was made on 31 December 1946 to Helicopter Air Transport.[3] More than 5,600 Bell 47s were produced, including those under license by Agusta in Italy, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan, and Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom. The Bell 47J Ranger is a modified version with a fully enclosed cabin and tail boom.