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Bell 47
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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Bell47

Utility / Transport Helicopters · United States · 1946
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Bell47

Bell 47
Bell 47 Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
MASS (Military Archive Scoring System) 45
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload / Capacity
30
Range
25
Versatility
80
Reliability
75
Speed
20
Survivability
15
Hot-and-High Performance
20
Maintainability
85
Technology
10
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Methodology ↗ → Utility / Transport Helicopters ranking
Origin United States
ManufacturerAgustaWestland, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Bell Aircraft Corporation, Westland Aircraft
CategoryUtility / Transport Helicopters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1946–1974
Operators11 countries
Quantity5,600
⬇ Overview
⚙ Specs
⊕ History
⊕ Variants
⊕ Operators
⚖ MASS Score
📚 Sources
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
⊟ Utility / Transport Helicoptersranking ↗methodology ↗
45
Utility / Transport Helicopters MASS Rating
23/42
Early Cold War
166/208
All-Time
Utility / Transport Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Payload / Capacity
30
Range
25
Versatility
80
Reliability
75
Speed
20
Survivability
15
Hot-and-High Performance
20
Maintainability
85
Technology
10
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell 47
Category
Utility / Transport Helicopters
Country
United States
Prime contractor
AgustaWestland, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Bell Aircraft Corporation, Westland Aircraft
Production
1946–1974
Quantity
5,600
Operators
11 countries
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
MASS SCORE ↗
45
utility / transport helicopters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1945
  • Service Entry Year1946
  • Crew1
  • Passengers3
  • Primary RoleMultipurpose light helicopter
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant7MOD.7
  • Engine TypeLycoming TVO-435-F1A
  • Number of Engines1
  • Engine Power (each)150 kW
  • Rotor Configurationsingle main rotor
  • Main Rotor Diameter10.2 m
  • Main Rotor Blades2
  • Anti-Torque Typetail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed168.517 km/h
  • Cruise Speed135.184 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)210 km/h
  • Service Ceiling4,500 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,000 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,500 m
  • Range396.328 km
  • Ferry Range480 km
  • Rate of Climb4.6 m/s
  • Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length9.449 m
  • Height2.9 m
  • Rotor Disc Area81.7
  • Empty Weight858.665 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight1,338.12 kg
  • Useful Load1,100 kg
  • Cabin Volume5
◆Armament & Mission3MOD.3
  • Hardpoints0
  • Weapons Payload0 kg
  • Sling Load Capacity500 kg
▤Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built5,600
  • Variants13
⬢Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1946
  • Production End1974
  • Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1946Production started
  2. 1974Production ended
80
years in service
28
years in production
5,600
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 8 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Bell 47 1946
// DERIVATIVES
AB 47 1946
05 / Operators
Operator Countries11country
CanadaACTIVEItalyACTIVEUnited StatesACTIVEBrazilRETIREDFranceRETIREDGermanyRETIREDIsraelRETIREDPeruRETIREDSouth KoreaRETIREDTaiwanRETIREDVietnamRETIRED
Utility / Transport Helicopters Early Cold War United States AgustaWestlandBell TextronKawasaki Heavy IndustriesBell Aircraft CorporationWestland Aircraft
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Utility / Transport Helicopters entry →