BELL H-13 SIOUX
H-13 SERVICE
| Manufacturer: | Bell Aircraft Corp., Buffalo, New York, USA (In 1951, became Bell Helicopter Corp. of Bell Aircraft Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, USA) (In 1960, became Bell Helicopter Co., Textron Corp.) |
| Models: | Model 47, 201, 207 |
| Designations: | H-13 (OH-13, UH-13); HTL; HUL; R-13 |
| Names: | Sioux; Sioux Scout
(Model 207), Bellairus (Model 47H), Ranger (Model 47J) |
| First official flight: | (Model 47) 08/12/1945 |
| Factory production period: | 1945 - 1973 |
| Primary service period: | 1946 - 1976 |
| Last official flight: | ? |
H-13 VARIANTS
| 1945 | Model 47 | Model 47 | 1 | Total: 0001 |
| 1946 | Model 47B | Model 47B | 77 | |
| 1953 | Model 47G | Model 47G | 1962 | |
| 1955 | Model 47H | Model 47H | 33 | |
| 1957 | Model 47J | Model 47J | 314 | Total: 2386 |
| 1946 | Model 47A | XR-13 | 28 | |
| 1948 | Model 47D | H-13B | 65 | |
| 1951 | Model 47D-1 | H-13D | 87 | |
| 1951 | Model 47D-1 | H-13E | 490 | |
| 1953 | Model 47G | H-13G | 265 | |
| 1955 | Model 47G-2 | H-13H | 470 | |
| 1957 | Model 47J-1 | H-13J | 2 | |
| 1963 | Model 47G-3B | OH-13S | 396 | |
| 1963 | Model 47G-3B-2 | TH-13T | 419 | Total: 2222 |
| 1949 | Model 47D | HTL-2 | 12 | |
| 1950 | Model 47E | HTL-3 | 12 | |
| 1950 | Model 47D-1 | HTL-4 | 46 | |
| 1951 | Model 47D-1 | HTL-5 | 36 | |
| 1955 | Model 47G | HTL-6 | 48 | |
| 1958 | Model 47K | HTL-7 | 18 | Total: 0172 |
| 1955 | Model 47J | HUL-1 | 28 | |
| ? | Model 47J | HUL-1M | 2 | Total: 0030 |
|
Grand Total: 4811 |
| 1965 |
Foreign built - England: Model 47G-3B-1 |
Sioux AH.Mk. 1 | 216 | |
| ? | Model 47G-3B-1 | Sioux HT.Mk. 2 | 15 | |
| 1969 | Model 47G-4A | Model 47G-4A | 16 | Total: 0247 |
| 1964 |
Foreign built - Italy: Model 47G |
? | ? | |
| ? | Model 47J | ? | ? | Total: 1200 |
| 1964 |
Foreign built - Japan: Model 47G |
? | ? | Total: 0213 |
|
Grand Total: 1660 |
|
GRAND TOTAL: 6471 |
H-13 PRODUCTION
Civil Helicopters
Model 47 / 47B / 47G / 47H
/ 47J
Prototype commercial utility helicopter.
Model 47B had a "car" style fuselage design.
Model 47G introduced the classic
design features: bubble canopy,
open tail boom, podded fuel tanks.
Model 47H / J were luxury versions.
Produced 1945 - 1973
Bell Buffalo, New York
| Model 47 | 1 | |
| Model 47B / -2 / -3 | 77 |
Bell Fort Worth, Texas
| Model 47G | 208 | |
| Model 47G-2 / -2A / -2A-1 | 410 | |
| Model 47G-3 / -3B / -3B-1 / -3B-2 / -3B-2A | 653 | |
| Model 47G-4 / -4A | 355 | |
| Model 47G-5 / -5A | 336 | |
| Model 47H-1 Bellairus | 33 | |
| Model 47J / -2 / -2A Ranger | 314 | Total: 2387 |
The author seated in a Malaysian Bell Model
47G-5A, RMAF s/n: M26-08.
The RMAF operated 9 of these choppers from 1974 to 1998, the blue
square with yellow star is the RMAF insignia. The podded
fuel tanks on the Model 47G hold 43 US Gal. each.
RMAF Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2000.
The instrument panel on M26-08.
RMAF Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2000.
Military Helicopters
XR-13
Prototype single-engined, 2-bladed rotor,
2-seater, utility helicopter for US Army.
Bubble canopy, dual controls, 4-wheeled u/c.
10 to USN as HTL-1, BuNo. 122452 / 122461,
with 2 later to USCG.
Redesignated as YH-13 in 1948.
Produced
Bell Buffalo, New York (BE)
| 46-227 / 46-254 | 1 / 28 | 28 | Total: 0028 |
H-13B
As YH-13, bubble canopy with
removable top, engine upgrade.
Produced
Bell Buffalo, New York (BE)
| 48-796 / 48-799 | 101 / 104 | ||
| 48-800 / 48-820 | 80 / 100 | ||
| 48-821 / 48-860 | 105 / 144 | 65 | Total: 0065 |
H-13D
As H-13C, classic design features
introduced: 3-seater bubble canopy,
open tail boom, skid u/c, engine upgrade,
single controls.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 51-2446 / 51-2531 | ? | ||
| 51-16642 | ? | 87 | Total: 0087 |
H-13E
As H-13D, dual controls.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 51-13742 / 51-14231 | ? | 490 | Total: 0490 |
H-13G
As H-13E, boom elevator, dual
podded fuel tanks, single controls.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 51-14232 / 51-14241 | ? | ||
| 52-7790 / 52-7993 | ? | ||
| 53-3654 / 53-3674 | ? | ||
| 53-3785 / 53-3814 | ? | 265 | Total: 0265 |
H-13H
As H-13G, engine upgrade,
curved skids, dual controls.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 55-3355, 55-3356 | ? | ||
| 55-4613 / 55-4633 | ? | ||
| 56-2161 / 56-2244 | ? | ||
| 57-1792 / 57-1875 | ? | ||
| 57-6203 / 57-6244 | ? | ||
| 58-1497 / 58-1552 | ? | ||
| 58-5304 / 58-5395 | ? | ||
| 58-6984 / 58-6998 | ? | ||
| 59-4911 / 59-4972 | ? | ||
| 60-6035 / 60-6046 | ? | 470 | Total: 0470 |
H-13J Ranger
As H-13H, 4-seater redesigned canopy,
tail boom, engine upgrade. Acquired by
USAF for Presidential duties.
Also designated as VH-13J.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 57-2728, 57-2729 | ? | 2 | Total: 0002 |
OH-13S
As H-13H, engine upgrade, longer
boom and rotors.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 63-9072 / 63-9221 | ? | ||
| 63-13668 / 63-13685 | 3168 / 3185 | ||
| 64-15318 / 64-15432 | ? | ||
| 65-13005 / 65-13020 | mixed 3901 to 3916 | ||
| 66-15998, 66-15999 | 3917, 3918 | ||
| 67-15870 / 67-15908 | 3919 / 3957 | ||
| 69-16380 / 69-16391 | 3958 / 3969 | ||
| 69-19590 / 69-19633 | 3970 / 4013 | 396 | Total: 0396 |
| 152 additional airframes cancelled. | |||
TH-13T
As OH-13S, instrument trainer version
for USAF, engine / avionics upgrade.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (BF)
| 64-17845 / 64-17904 | 3411 / 3470 | ||
| 65-8038 / 65-8080 | 3471 / 3513 | ||
| 66-4273 / 66-4298 | 3514 / 3539 | ||
| 66-8040 / 66-8130 | 3540 / 3630 | ||
| 67-15912 / 67-15965 | 3631 / 3684 | ||
| 67-17003 / 67-17143 | mixed 3685 to 3850 | ||
| 67-17882 / 67-17885 | ? | 419 | Total: 0419 |
| 1 additional airframe cancelled. | |||
HTL-2
As H-13B, US Navy trainer.
Produced 1949
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
| BuNo.122952 / 122963 | ? | 12 | Total: 0012 |
HTL-3
As H-13D, US Navy trainer.
Produced 1950 - 1951
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
| BuNo.124561 / 124569 | 165 / 173 | ||
|
BuNo.144693 / 144695 - 3 to Brazil. |
? | 12 | Total: 0012 |
HTL-4
As HTL-3, dual controls.
Produced 1950 - 1951
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
|
BuNo.128621 / 128636 - 1 to USCG. |
? | ||
| BuNo.128887 / 128916 | ? | 46 | Total: 0046 |
HTL-5
As H-13E, US Navy trainer,
4-wheeled u/c.
Produced 1951 - 1952
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
|
BuNo.129942 / 129977 - 3 to USCG as 1268 / 1270. |
? | 36 | Total: 0036 |
HTL-6
As H-13G, US Navy trainer,
dual controls.
Produced 1955 - 1956
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
|
BuNo.142373 / 142396 - 1 to RCN as 1387. |
? | ||
| BuNo.143148 / 143171 | ? | 48 | Total: 0048 |
HTL-7
As H-13J, smaller US Navy
2-seater trainer.
Produced 1958
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
| BuNo.145837 / 145854 | ? | 18 | Total: 0018 |
HUL-1
As H-13J, US Navy 4-seater
utility version.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
| BuNo.142364 / 142372 | ? | ||
| BuNo.143134 / 143147 | ? | ||
| BuNo.147578 / 147581 | ? | ||
| BuNo.148277 | ? | 28 | Total: 0028 |
| 1 additional airframe cancelled. | |||
HUL-1M
As HUL-1, turbine engine upgrade.
Produced
Bell Fort Worth, Texas (L)
| BuNo.149838, 149839 | ? | 2 | Total: 0002 |
HUL-2 - Proposed turboshaft version of the HUL-1, cancelled.
|
Grand Total: 4811 |
Foreign built - England:
Sioux AH.Mk. 1
Military version of the Model 47G-3B-1.
Produced 1965 - 1969
Westland helicopters Ltd., Yeovil,
Somerset, England
| (British Army) XT151 / XT250 | WA310 / WA409 | ||
| (British Army) XT498 / XT516 | WA410 / WA428 | ||
| (British Army) XT540 / XT570 | WA429 / WA459 | ||
| (British Army) XT798 / XT820 | WA505 / WA527 | ||
| (British Army) XT824 / XT849 | WA586 / WA611 | ||
| (British Army) XW179 / XW195 | WA699 / WA715 | 216 |
Sioux HT.Mk. 2
As AH.Mk. 1, trainer version.
Produced 1967 - 1968
Westland helicopters Ltd., Yeovil,
Somerset, England
| (British Army) XV310 / XV324 | WA564 / WA578 | 15 |
Model 47G-4A
Commercial version for Bristow
Helicopters to train Army pilots.
Produced 1969
Westland helicopters Ltd., Yeovil,
Somerset, England
| civil reg. | WA716 / WA731 | 16 | Total: 0247 |
Foreign built - Italy:
Model 47G /
J
As civil Model 47G / J for military
and civil service.
Produced 1964 - 1979
(Augusta-Bell)
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Giovanni Augusta SpA,
Gallarate, Italy
| Model AB.47G | ? | |
| Model AB.47G-2 | ? | |
| Model AB.47G-3B (Sioux
AH.Mk. 1) Version for the British Army. (British Army) XT101 / XT126 c/n: mixed 1563 to 1592 (British Army) XT127 / XT150 c/n: mixed 1535 to 1562 |
50 | |
| Model AB.47G-4A | ? | |
| Model AB.47G-5 | ? | |
| Model AB.47J-3 Super Ranger | ? | |
| Model AB.47J-3B-1 | ? | Total: 1200 |
Foreign built - Japan:
Model 47G
As civil Model 47G for military
and civil service. Redesigned
cabin, minor changes.
Produced 1964 - 1976
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Gifu, Japan
| Model 47G-2 / -2A | ? | |
| Model 47G-3B (KH-4) | ? | Total: 0213 |
|
Grand Total: 1660 |
The RNZAF operates 6 Bell Model 47G-3B-1 and
7 Model 47G-3B-2 helicopters in the training role in New Zealand.
Although 8 have been lost to accidents, 5 still fly as primary trainers.
Pictured here is a composite airframe made up of two crashed
machines with RNZAF instructional number, INSTR221, it serves
as a ground instructional aircraft and does not fly.
Blenheim Airshow, New Zealand, 2005.
H-13 CONVERSIONS
US Army
| YR-13A | 3 | XR-13, 1947, conversions for cold weather duties. |
| (YH-13A) | 3 | 1948, redesignation of the YR-13A. |
| YH-13C | 1 | H-13B, 1950, rear fuselage coverings removed, skid u/c. |
| H-13C | 15 | H-13B, 1950, same as YH-13C, addition of external stretchers. |
| XH-13F | 1 | Model 201 H-13G(52-7974), 1955, prototype with turbine engine upgrade. |
| H-13K | 2 | H-13H, 1960, engine upgrade / larger rotor for altitude tests. |
| Model 207 | 1 | Sioux Scout Model 47J-2 / OH-13S, 1963, prototype 2-seater gunship, engine upgrade, assigned civil reg.: N73927. |
| Sioux Scout | 1+ | OH-13S, 1965-1971, generic name for Vietnam gunship conversions. |
| Sioux Warrior | 1+ | various H-13, 1953, generic name for various armed conversions. |
US Navy
| HUL-1G |
2 |
HUL-1, 1959, diversions to the USCG as 1337, 1338. |
USAF / US Army / US Navy (1962 redesignations)
| OH-13D | 1+ | 1962, US Army redesignation of the H-13D. |
| OH-13E | 1+ | 1962, US Army redesignation of the H-13E. |
| OH-13G | 1+ | 1962, US Army redesignation of the H-13G. |
| OH-13H | 1+ | 1962, US Army redesignation of the H-13H. |
| UH-13H | 1+ | 1962, USAF redesignation of the H-13H. |
| UH-13J | 2 | 1962, USAF redesignation of the H-13J. |
| OH-13K | 1+ | 1962, US Army redesignation of the H-13K. |
| TH-13L | 1+ | 1962, US Navy redesignation of the HTL-4 / -5. |
| TH-13M | 1+ | 1962, US Navy redesignation of the HTL-6. |
| TH-13N | 1+ | 1962, US Navy redesignation of the HTL-7. |
| (HH-13N) | 2 | 1962-1968, USCG redesignation of the TH-13N. |
| UH-13P | 1+ | 1962, US Navy redesignation of the HUL-1. |
| HH-13Q | 2 | 1962, USCG redesignation of the HUL-1G. |
| UH-13R | 1+ | 1962, US Navy redesignation of the HUL-1M. |
FOREIGN MILITARY / CIVILIAN SERVICE
- The Bell Model 47 has become a classic helicopter design in both it's civil
and military role with many still serving today in many parts of the
world.
- Experimental conversions included the Rigid Rotor, Vertol 76 (VZ-2)
and Wing Ding. Some also to NASA for tests and training.
- Civil upgrades included the Carson Super C-4 and El Tomcat conversions.