Bell 47J Ranger
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Bell 47J Ranger
| Bell 47J Ranger | |
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| Bell 47J Ranger | |
| Role | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| Introduction | 1956 |
| Retired | July 1967 (UH-13J) |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 361 |
| Unit cost | $65,000 |
| Developed from | Bell 47 |
The Bell 47J Ranger is an American two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter that was manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was an executive variant based on the highly successful Bell 47 and was the first helicopter to carry a United States president.
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Design and development
The 47J was a four-seat variant of the earlier three-seat Bell 47H, the 47H was a deluxe variant of the 47G with a fully clad fuselage and enclosed cabin. The 47H proved to be too small and the 47J was developed. The "J" model was a single pilot aircraft with the pilot seat and controls position centered at the front of the cabin close to the 180° view unobstructed lexan "bubble" windscreen. A single bench seat at the rear of the cabin spanned it's entire width and allowed for a passenger capacity limited by weight to typically 3 or 4 adults.
Operational history
In March 1957 two Bell 47Js were bought by the United States Air Force as presidential transport and designated H-13J.[1] On 13 July 1957 a H-13J was the first helicopters used by a United States president when it carried Dwight D. Eisenhower from the White House.[1] In March 1962 the two helicopters were moved from presidential duties but were used as VIP transports for the next five years until retired in July 1967.[1]
Two Bell 47J2-A Rangers in particular were probably the most well known by tourists from the U.S. and around the world. The two were privately owned by the JC HELICOPTER Company (Pres. James C. Huss) From 1975 thru 1983 their home was a small heliport within a mile of the entrance to Walt Disney World Florida on the grounds of the Hyatt Hotel which was located at the extremely busy and well known intersection of US Interstate I-4 and US Highway 192 near Kissimmee Florida. During the busy summer & holiday periods the two 47J2-A's alternated in flying up to 100 or more adult and children vacationers a day during on 5 to 20 minute joy rides over the Walt Disney World complex and its Magic Kingdom. In addition to the daytime helicopter rides the company offered one of the all time visual helicopter ride experiences where for 25 minutes tourists would charter the aircraft to circle the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks at eye level and above. The two 47's also helped in the development and construction of the Walt Disney World "EPCOT" theme park by flying aerial photography charters during its planning phase and at times shuttling Disney & contractor VIP's to the remote construction site. On May 9th 1980 one of the 47's was chartered by the local CBS (Orlando) affiliate to act as their SkyWitness News Helicopter and cover the collision of the Summit Venture (606ft 20,000 ton freighter) with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the Tampa Bay shipping channel. For more than 8 hours with multiple fuel stops, the Bell 47 with pilot, producer and cameraman provided an aerial view of the disaster in which 35 people plummeted 150ft to their death inside their vehicles (including 26 inside a Greyhound bus) when the main span of the Southbound lanes collapsed into Tampa Bay after the ship struck concrete bridge pier #2S in Tropical Storm like conditions. During fuel stops video tape from the just completed flight was rushed to the CBS Tampa affiliate where it was edited and aired within minutes, providing local and national news audiences the most up to date views of the riveting disaster and rescue attempt. The last of the two JC Helicopter Co owned Bell 47J2-A models was sold in 1984 as they had recently been replaced by a Bell JetRanger 206B and 206L at the HYATT Hotel heliport.
Variants
- 47J Ranger
- Production variant powered by a 220hp Lycoming VO-435-A1B engine.[2], 135 built.
- 4J-1 Ranger
- Military VIP variant as the H-13J, two built.[3]
- 47J-2 Ranger
- Production variant with a 240hp Lycoming VO-540-B1B engine, powered controls and metal blades.[2], 104 built.
- 47J-2A Ranger
- Production variant with a 260hp Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 engine and a collective boost system, 75 built.
- 47J-3
- Italian built variant by Agusta-Bell.
- 47J-3B1
- High-altitude variant of the 47J-3
- 47K
- Training variant for the United States Navy, see HTL-7.[4]
- HUL-1
- United States Navy variant with a 260hp VO-435-B1B, 28 built became UH-13P in 1962.[4]
- HUL-1G
- Two HUL-1s used by the United States Coast Guard, became UH-13Q in 1962.[4]
- HUL-1M
- Variant of thwe HUL-1 with a 250shp YT-62-A-3 turboshaft engine, two built became UH-13R in 1962.[4]
- HUL-2
- Proposed turboshaft-powered variant, not built.[4]
- HTL-7
- Model 47K training version of the HUL-1 with a modified two-seat cockpit and a 240hp Lycoming O-435-6 engine, 18 built, later designated TH-13N in 1962.
- UH-13J
- Two Bell 47J-1 Ranger aircraft utilizing the 179 kW Lycoming VO-435-21 engine acquired for VIP transport of the U.S. President by the U.S. Air Force. Originally designated as H-13J until 1962.[2]
- UH-13P
- United States Navy variant for use aboard ice-breaking ships, Originally designated as the Navy HUL-1.
- TH-13N
- The HTL-7 re-designated in 1962.[4]
- HH-13Q
- The HUL-1G re-designated in 1962.[4]
- UH-13R
- The HUL-1M re-designated in 1962.[4]
- Bell 47 AJ2
- This was a version created by Associated Helicopters in Edmonton Alberta. The aircraft had an unweighted and unboosted main rotor, but boosted cyclic. The engine was the turbo charged Lycoming engine. There was a heater fired by avgas under the front of the cabin.
Operators
Aircraft on display
- The first UH-13J, which first carried a U.S. President, is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.
- The second UH-13J is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio in the Museum's Presidential Gallery.
Specifications (Bell 47J-2A)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 32 ft 5 in (9.87 m)
- Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.83 m)
- Empty weight: 1,833 lb (831 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,950 lb (1,338 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming VO-540-B1B vertically mounted air-cooled flat-six, 260 hp (190 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)
- Main rotor area: 1,085 sq ft (100.8 m2)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 105 mph (169 km/h; 91 kn) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 91 mph (79 kn; 146 km/h)
- Range: 258 mi (224 nmi; 415 km) (no reserves)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,353 m)
- Rate of climb: 870 ft/min (4.4 m/s)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
- Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- Donald, David (1997). The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY, NY: Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
- Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. pp. 44. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1965). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bell 47 |
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