Design
The early aircraft had a variety of looks, including fabric-covered or open frames, open cockpits or sheet metal cabins, and some even had four-wheel landing gear. Some models from the Korean War adopted a more practical design.
The most popular type, the 47G, is distinguished by its exposed welded-tube tail boom, saddle fuel tanks, skid landing gear, and lightweighted canopy. The monocoque tail boom and enclosed cabin of the later three-seat 47H were features of its design. An attempt was made to sell a "luxury" version of the standard 47G. Not many of them were made.
Specifications
Engine
The engines used were 175 to 305 HP (130 to 227 kW) Franklin or Lycoming vertically mounted piston engines. Early 47s and the later G-5A had two seats, whereas the J and KH-4 had four seats.
Performance
A conventional cruising speed of 123 km/h and a cruising speed (at sea level) of 144 km/h. 161 km/h is the maximum airspeed that can be reached from sea level to 430 meters. The cruising speed must be lowered by 1.84 km/h for every 100 meters of elevation gain above this point.
Features
The Bell 47 has a tail boom and a fully enclosed cabin with a bubble cockpit. The No Bar control system, two main rotor blades, and the wielded-tube tail boom are also installed. The purpose of this helicopter's development was to offer an upscale variant of the type 47G.
Accidents
About 4,900 incidents involving Bell helicopters have occurred, 800 of which resulted in fatalities. More than 1,660 people have passed away as a result. Some of the worst aircraft mishaps in history have been handled by Wisner Baum, including multiple Bell helicopter incidents.
Variants
It has 11 variants:
- 47 = Pre-production model with a Franklin piston engine producing 175 horsepower.
- 47A = A better variant of the Bell 47 is driven by a Franklin O-335-1 piston engine producing 175 horsepower.
- 47B = Similar in power to the military YR-13/HTL-1, this model has open crew places and is powered by a Franklin O-335-1 engine with 175 horsepower.
- 47G = The three-seat layout is combined with a 200-horsepower Franklin engine in the 47G, which also debuted the twin saddle-bag fuel tank design.
- 47G-2 = The Lycoming VO-435 engine powers it. Manufactured for the UK military as the Sioux under license from Westland Aircraft.
- 47G-2A = It is powered by a VO-435 engine, which produces 240 horsepower.
- 47G-2A-1 = Fuel capacity increased, rotor blades were upgraded, and the cabin was made wider.
- 47G-3 = It is powered by a Franklin 6VS-335-A supercharger with 225 horsepower.
- 47G-3B = It is powered by a Lycoming TVO-435 turbocharged for 280 horsepower
- 47G-4 = It is a helicopter with three seats and an Avco Lycoming VO-540 engine.
- 47G-5 = A utilitarian version with three seats. Later, the Ag-5 was the name of an agricultural version with two seats.
Pros
- It is easier to fly.
- It transfers goods more quickly.
- It can carry over 2.5 times as much as the next largest mass-produced helicopter.
Cons
- The two biggest drawbacks are its size and the approximately 30% higher operating costs per hour.
Price
An internal report stated that a Bell 47 helicopter's typical cost was Rs. 17 lakh.
Tags
Flying