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.
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]
Two Bell 47J-2s were used during the 1966 film production of Paradise, Hawaiian Style starring Elvis Presley. Throughout the film Presley's character, Rick Richards, was flying a Bell 47J-2 over the Hawaiian Islands.
Variants
Agusta-Bell 47J Ranger at the Hellenic Air Force Museum at Dekelia (Tatoi), Athens, GreeceA Bell 47J-2 Ranger, with floats. (California, 1978)Agusta-Bell AB.47J3 Ranger in Italian Carabinieri markings at Pratica di Mare AFB, Italy in 2006Bell UH-13J Sioux at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
47J Ranger
Production variant powered by a 220hp Lycoming VO-435-A1B engine.,[2] 135 built.
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 179kW 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.
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