Bell 47G HTL-6
- Period: Postwar (1945-1959)
- Uses: Training / Utility
- First Flight: 1945 (Bell 47)
- Display Status: On the Museum Floor.
In 1946, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter to be licensed for civil operation. In January 1947 it was the first commercial helicopter to be delivered to an operator. Production for civil and military use continued until 1973. The Bell Model 47 performed light helicopter roles such as training, surveying, spraying, transport, search and rescue, and police patrol. It is probably the most successful helicopter ever built, with many still in use until the early 1990s.
The crew sits side-by-side under a large clear-vision bubble at the front of the aircraft. Because these bubbles were “free-blown” no standard shape resulted. The differing bubble-shapes sometimes caused flying characteristics to vary slightly among aircraft. For search and rescue, the HTL-6 was fitted with two external wire-mesh stretcher carriers.
Museum Example
- Registration #: 1387 (RCN)
- Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft Corporation, United States
- Manufacture Date: 1955
- Construction #: 1387
- Aquisition Date: 1966
- Provenance: Transfer from RCN
The Museum specimen began service in the Royal Canadian Navy in June 1955. It was used by RCN Helicopter Squadron HU-21 for pilot training and utility operations for the fleet. For example, it served on HMCS Labrador, which carried out re-supply, survey, and ice breaking functions in the Canadian Arctic. After working in various locations, this aircraft was transferred to the Museum in October 1966.
Specifications
- Rotor diameter:
- 10.7 m (35 ft 1 1/2 in)
- Length:
- 12.6 m (41 ft 2 1/2 in)
- Height:
- 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
- Weight, Empty:
- 626 kg (1,380 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 1,066 kg (2,350 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 124 km/h (77 mph)
- Max Speed:
- 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 244m (800 ft) /min
- Service Ceiling:
- 3,322 m (10,900 ft)
- Range:
- 346 km (215 mi)
- Power Plant:
- one Franklin 6V4-200-C32, 200 hp horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine
