Bell 47G

Shown here being operated by the Adams County Sheriff's Office, the Bell 47G, is a single-rotor single engine multipurpose light helicopter. Manufactured by Bell Aircraft, the same company that built the Bell X-1 - the first supersonic aircraft; and later Bell Helicopter, the 47G had its first flight on December 8, 1945 with it entering production later in 1946. In that same year the 47G on March 8, the helicopter became the first helicopter type to be certified for civilian use. Production ended in 1974 with over 5,600 helicopters builded.

With the height of 9ft 4in and a fuselage length of 31 ft 7 in or a similar size to a school bus with a rotor diameter of 37 ft 2in. Its 6V4-200-C32 Franklin engine produces a maximum power of 149/200 kW/hp at 3100 rpm with a maximum speed of 105 mph and a rate of climb of 880 ft/min.

The 47G was primarily used for the transportation of passengers and goods, agricultural operations, transport of mail, observation, reconnaissance, photographic flights and school. With its “goldfish bowl” style canopy it offered high visibility, it could seat two people on some models and or three people in other models. The helicopter was made famous by the TV show M*A*S*H wherein various models of the Bell 47 were used during the Korean conflict for combat medical evacuation. In 1950, a Bell 47D-1 became the first helicopter to fly over the Alps. Various models of the 47G are still in use today with some being employed by the Los Angeles Police Department and the New York City Police Department