Back Bell Model 47H
1955

Bell 47H-1

Introduced in 1955, this was a deluxe version of the Model 47G. It had an enclosed sound-proofed cabin which could accommodate one pilot and two passengers. The cabin had leather upholstery throughout as well as a leather covered dashboard grouping all electrical switches and carburettor controls. The metal monocoque tail boom contained a luggage compartment.

A.J.Pelletier "Bell Aircraft since 1935", 1992

Bell 47H

This model marked Bell's return to a streamlined and entirely enclosed design. Its metal monocoque tail boom contains a baggage compartment big enough to take all the luggage carried by those travelling in this three-seater. The cabin's width has been increased to 1.52 metres, so that motor vehicle-size seats can be used.

P.Lambermont "Helicopters and Autogyros of the World", 1958

Technical data for Model 47H-1

Number of seats: 3, rotor diameter: 10.72m, overall length: 12.62m, fuselage length: 8.33m, height: 2.82m, loaded weight: 1067kg, empty weight: 681kg, maximum speed: 161km/h, cruising speed: 142km/h, initial rate of climb: 250m/min, service ceiling: 3660m, hover ceiling in ground effect: 1310m, range: 339km

Comments
GQ Hall, e-mail, 16.02.2017reply

My father was involved with a helicopter service co.in Dallas in the late 50's and early 60's. I have a metal scale model of a Bell 47 H-1 in a covered wooden box with gold lettering identifying it as such.Any one know what this may have been for?

Dave James, e-mail, 22.11.2020 GQ Hall

Do you still have the 47H 1 model ?
Dave
734 637 3888

reply

Tony Badali, e-mail, 01.04.2015reply

I flew in this aircraft as a child in 1958. It was my first ride in a helicopter.
It took place on a golf driving range near Des Plaines, Illinois.
My family was returning home from lunch we we spotted the helicopter and my younger brother and I encouraged my Dad tomstop so we could have a closer look.
Next thing we knew,may Dad had talked the pilot into giving the boys and their Mom a quick hop in this beautiful machine.

I tried to post the picture but for some reason , it will not post here.

Dave James, e-mail, 31.03.2015reply

Joe,It would be great to talk to you about those helicopters,Cincinatti Airways and Ohio Valley Helicopters operated them,contact me offsite and thru my email

Joe Scherrer, e-mail, 29.03.2015reply

Hello! I remember helicopter N2831B and N2480B were with a company at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati for quite a while back in the 60's! I was always interested in helicopters and took many pictures of these with a Brownie. They flew the traffic reporter here in Cincy for a number of years and I would always look for them as a kid and listen in. I often wondered what ever happened to these 2 copters and now I know. Glad to hear they are still around! They were very classy helicopters. I still have the black and white pictures of them.

Jorge Reixach G., e-mail, 24.04.2020 Joe Scherrer

HI Joe: I stopped to tell you that N2831B still flying while N2480B not since 2015.
Below, I attached the FAA Report about the status of the N3831B
Regards:

Jorge Reixach G.
reixachjf@gmail.com

Serial Number 1361 Status Valid
Manufacturer Name BELL Certificate Issue Date 06 /16 /2014
Model 47H-1 Expiration Date 06 /30 /2023
Type Aircraft Rotorcraft Type Engine Reciprocating
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code (base 8 / oct) 50555635
MFR Year 1957 Mode S Code (base 16 / hex) A2DB9D
Type Registration Corporation Fractional Owner NO
Registered Owner
Name TAZ AIR SERVICE INC
Street 1232 CHOPTANK RD

City MIDDLETOWN State DELAWARE
County NEW CASTLE Zip Code 19709-9038
Country UNITED STATES
Airworthiness

reply

Jim Work, e-mail, 25.03.2014reply

Latest update ! N2831B in now on display in the Kissimmee, Florida Air Museum

Dave, e-mail, 15.04.2014reply

Not in Kissimmee,its in Michigan at Willow Run Airport

Jerry Staggs, e-mail, 09.09.2014reply

I have and own N2480B a bell 47 H 1. It's here it Texas was in Washington state. And it's for sale. I've put two hrs. On her

Jim Work, e-mail, 17.10.2010reply

I once owned this aircraft, ( N2831B ) Hov-Air Inc. Livonia , MI Sorry for selling it . Always was a tame and great handling ship. Nothing smoother than wooden blades if you take care of them. Your tech info on VNE & cruise speed is stretching it. Must be propaganda put out by Bell in a sales brochure. Retreating blade stall at about 120 would shake your fillings out ! Last I heard it was out on the West coast. Enjoyed seeing it again with a new paint job.

Jim Work, e-mail, 17.10.2010reply

I once owned this aircraft, ( N2831B ) Hov-Air Inc. Livonia , MI Sorry for selling it . Always was a tame and great handling ship. Nothing smoother than wooden blades if you take care of them. Your tech info on VNE & cruise speed is stretching it. Must be propaganda put out by Bell in a sales brochure. Retreating blade stall at about 120 would shake your fillings out ! Last I heard it was out on the West coast. Enjoyed seeing it again with a new paint job.

stevie lord, e-mail, 06.08.2011reply

need a picture of a Bell 47 Dashboard as I am building the helicopter.

stevie lord, e-mail, 06.08.2011reply

need a picture of a Bell 47 Dashboard as I am building the helicopter.

Daniel Hewitt, e-mail, 08.04.2013reply

This Picture is From a Small Shop called Tulsa Helichopter Repair in Inola Oklahoma. I used to live there.I can't remember who actually owned this but the shop was owned by Steven Pond. The shop is also referd to locally as the gregory school house. Last I checked it's a churuch now.

Jim Work, e-mail, 16.03.2014reply

As I said before, I once owned N2831B . I used it once to deliver White Castle burgers at a picnic. The story surfaced and I was invited to White Castle headquarters in Columbus Ohio and inducted into the White Castle Hall of Fame . HONEST ! Google it. Put in "White Castle Hall of Fame, a helicopter & a sack of sliders". The story will come up along with a photo of the Bell hovering to drop off the White Castle by a uniform clad deliveryman.

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