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.
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. 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. 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.
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., 135 built.
47J-1 Ranger
Military VIP variant as the H-13J, two built.
47J-2 Ranger
Production variant with a 240hp Lycoming VO-540-B1B engine, powered controls and metal blades., 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.
HUL-1
United States Navy variant with a 260hp VO-435-B1B, 28 built became UH-13P in 1962.
HUL-1G
Two HUL-1s used by the United States Coast Guard, became UH-13Q in 1962.
HUL-1M
Variant of the HUL-1 with a 250shp YT-62-A-3 turboshaft engine, two built became UH-13R in 1962.
HUL-2
Proposed turboshaft-powered variant, not built.
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.
UH-13P
United States Navy variant for use aboard ice-breaking ships, Originally designated as the Navy HUL-1.
Agusta Bell-47J-2A (reg. YU-HAK) on static display at Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana, Ljubljana. It was operated by the police aviation unit from 1967 to 1984 and was the first helicopter in Slovenia used for mountain rescue operations.
