Bell 47H History
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The Bell 47H-1 was the deluxe version of the Model 47G having an enclosed sound-proofed cabin with car-size leather seats and leather trim. The baggage of all travelling in the three-seater could be accommodated in a compartment in the monocoque tail boom. The Bell 47H was powered by a 200 hp Franklin 6V4-200-C32 six-cylinder piston engine but it was not a commercial success and only 33 were built.
Purchased by Sabena in 1956, OO-SHW was leased to the Belgian government and used by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1957-1959, flying from the support ship 'Polarhav' and the King Baudoin Station. On display it appears with the 1956 Antarctic colour scheme and expedition emblems.
Subsequent owners were one in Sweden, one in Norway and three in the UK.
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On 21st April 1984, as G-AZYB, it was badly damaged and written off after a heavy landing near Andover, in England, following an engine failure. Soon afterwards it was acquired by Elfan ap Rees and brought to The Helicopter Museum. |
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OO-SHW (far left) emerges from winter quarters, in Antarctica, in October 1958. |
Registered as G-AZYB, the Bell 47H-1, acquired for The Museum in 1984, is seen (near left) outside a few years later. In the background are the old Western Airways hangars, which they occupied into the 1970s. Thanks to Jeremy Parkin for this photo.
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