Bell 47J Ranger
American single-engine single-rotor light helicopter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bell 47J Ranger is an American single-engine single-rotor light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was an executive variant of the highly successful Bell 47 and was the first helicopter to carry a United States president.
| Bell 47J Ranger | |
|---|---|
 Bell 47J Ranger | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 361 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1956 |
| Retired | July 1967 (UH-13J) |
| Developed from | Bell 47 |
| Developed into | Agusta A.115 |
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 an enclosed cabin. The 47H proved to be too small, so Bell developed the 47J. The 47J was a single pilot aircraft with the pilot seat and controls centered in the front of the cabin, and positioned close to the 180° view unobstructed Lexan "bubble" windscreen. A single bench seat at the rear of the cabin spanned its 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 helicopter 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]
Variants
- 47J Ranger
- Production variant powered by a 220hp Lycoming VO-435-A1B engine.,[2] 135 built.
- 47J-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 the 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]
- HU-3
- Brazilian Navy designation of the 47J.[5]
Operators
Aircraft on display
- Brazil
- FAB 8510 – Bell 47J on static display at the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro.[15][16]
- Canada
- 1827 – Bell 47J-2 on static display at the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum in Goffs, Nova Scotia.[17][18]
- Italy
- MM 80113 – Bell 47J on static display at the Italian Air Force Museum in Vigna di Valle.[19]
Slovenia
- Agusta Bell-47J-2A (reg. YU-HAK) on static display at Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. It was a helicopter of police aviation unit from 1967 to 1984 and was the first helicopter in Slovenia used for mountain rescue operations.[20]
- United States
- 57-2728 – UH-13J on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.[21]
- 57-2729 – UH-13J on static display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. It was the first helicopter to carry a U.S. president.[22]
Specifications (Bell 47J-2A)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[23]
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)
- Fuel capacity: 48 US gal (40 imp gal; 180 L)
- 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 (146 km/h, 79 kn)
- Range: 258 mi (415 km, 224 nmi) (no reserves)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,400 m)
- Rate of climb: 870 ft/min (4.4 m/s)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Aérospatiale Alouette II
- Hiller OH-23 Raven
- TH-55 Osage/Hughes 269
- Hughes/Schweizer 300
- PZL SM-4 Łątka
Related lists
