Photograph:
Bell 47J-2 Ranger VH-BLQ (c/n 1815) at Moorabbin, VIC in May 1973 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Four-seat general purpose utility helicopter
Power Plant:
One 228 kw (305 hp) Lycoming VO-540-B1B six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Rotor diameter: 11.32 m (37 ft 1½ in)
- Fuselage length: 9.9 m (32 ft 4¾ in)
- Height: 2.83 m (9 ft 3½ in)
- Max speed at sea level: 169 km/h (105 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 150 km/h (93 mph)
- Cruising speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)
- Max inclined rate of climb: 244 m/min (800 ft/min)
- Hovering ceiling in ground effect: 2,804 m (9,200 ft)
- Service ceiling: 3,688 m (12,100 ft)
- Range: 418 km (260 miles)
- Empty weight: 785 kg (1,730 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,293 kg (2,850 lb)
History:
The Bell Model 47J series of helicopters was announced in 1954 to the helicopter market, it being decided that it would be produced alongside the 47G series. First known as the 47G-1, the new model was later renamed the 47J. Bell had produced a modified version of the 47G and, known as the 47H, it had a fully-enclosed cockpit and fuselage. The 47J was a slightly enlarged development of the 47G and 47H with streamlined features, the cabin being enlarged to seat a pilot and three passengers. Certification of the 47J was received on 23 August 1956, and deliveries of the new type, now known as the Bell 47J Ranger, began shortly thereafter.
Power was supplied by a Lycoming VO-435-A1B, VO-435-A1D or VO-435-A1E piston engine. Two Rangers were purchased by the USAF in 1957 for use by the Presidential Flight as the H-13J (later UH-13J). Subsequently a quantity was purchased by the US Navy as the HUL-1 (later UH-13P) and the US Coast Guard as the HUL-1G (later in 1962 HH-13Q). A couple were also used for testing Allison YT63-A-3 turboshaft engines using the designation HUL-1M (later UH-13R).
In 1960 the Model 47J-2 was released, and type approval was received on 14 January 1960. This model had metal rotor blades as standard, and increased gross weight from 1,163 kg (2,565 lb) to 1,293 kg (2,850 lb), hydraulic power controls, and increased engine power from 164 kw (220 hp) to 194 kw (260 hp), thus providing a significant improvement in performance at high altitudes.
A number of Model 47J-2s have been registered in Australia and New Zealand over the years. Operators have included Ansett-ANA Model 47-J2As VH-INZ ² (c/n 2841) and VH-INF² (c/n 1801); Jayrow Helicopters of Moorabbin, VIC VH–BLL² (c/n 1824) and VH-BLQ ² (c/n 1815); Helicopter Utilities, Airfast, TAA [later Australian Airlines] VH–THH (c/n 3711); and the NSW Department of Main Roads VH-DMR (c/n 3121).
New Zealand registered machines have included ZK-HCP (c/n 3115 – ex N3077G, VR-HGM, 9V-BGC) and ZK-HCU (c/n 3131 – ex N1163W), which were both 47J-2As and were written off after accidents. The type was licence built in Italy by Agusta. A small number survive in Australia.
Other variants of the series built included: Super Ranger, developed by Agusta in Italy; the Model 47J-3 with a VO-435-B1B3 engine de-rated to 201 kw (270 hp), allowing a gross weight of 1,338 kg (2,950 lb); and the Model 47J-3B for high altitude operations with a TVO-435 engine of 194 kw (260 hp) supercharged to deliver maximum power from sea level to 4,572 m (15,000 ft). Basically similar, the Model 47J-2A was a late production version of the 47J-2.