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H-13 Sioux
Bell 47-OH-13 inflight bw
An OH-13 in flight
Role Light observation helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bell Aircraft / Bell Helicopter
First flight 8 December 1945 (Bell 47 prototype)[1]
Status Retired
Primary users United States Army
United States Air Force
United States Navy
British Army
Number built At least 2,407
Developed from Bell 47
Variants H-13J Sioux
Bell 207 Sioux Scout
XH-13F

The Bell H-13 Sioux was a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. Westland Aircraft manufactured the Sioux under license for the British military as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2.

Development[]

In 1947, the United States Army Air Forces (later the United States Air Force) ordered the improved Bell Model 47A. Most were designated YR-13 and three winterized versions were designated YR-13A. The United States Army first ordered Bell 47s in 1948 under the designation H-13. These would later receive the name Sioux.[2] Initially, the United States Navy procured several Bell 47s, designated HTL-1, between 1947 and 1958. The United States Coast Guard evaluated this model, and procured two HTL-1s for multi-mission support in the New York Harbor. The most common U.S. Navy version of the 47 was designated the HTL-4, and dispenses with the fabric covering on the tail boom. The U.S. Coast Guard procured three HTL-5s in 1952 (similar to the HTL-4 but powered by a Franklin O-335-5 engine) and used these until 1960.[3] The Coast Guard procured two of Bell's Model 47G and designated them HUL-1G in 1959.[3]

The H-13 was used as observation helicopter early in the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the OH-6 Cayuse.

The Bell 47 was ordered by the British Army as the Sioux to meet specification H.240, with licensed production by Westland Helicopters. In order to comply with the terms of its licence agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft, which prevented it building a U.S. competitors aircraft, Westland licenced the Model 47 from Agusta, who had purchased a license from Bell.[4] the first contract was for 200 helicopters. The first 50 helicopters of the contract were built by Agusta at Gallarate in Italy followed by 150 built by Westland at Yeovil. The first Westland Sioux made its maiden flight on 9 March 1965.[5]

Design[]

The Sioux is a three-seat observation and basic training helicopter. In 1953 the Bell 47G design was introduced. It can be recognized by the full bubble canopy, exposed welded-tube tail boom, saddle fuel tanks and skid landing gear.

The H-13 and its military variants were often equipped with medical evacuation panniers, one to each skid, with an acrylic glass shield to protect the patient from wind.

A single 260 hp Lycoming VO-435 piston engine was fitted to the 47G variant. Fuel was fed from two high-mounted external tanks. A single two-bladed rotor with short inertial stabilising minor blades was used on the Sioux.[5]

Variants[]

Military[]

Bell 47 (H-13G) medevac inflight bw

An H-13 with med-evac panniers

YR-13/HTL-1
[note 1][6] 28 Bell 47A helicopters procured by the United States Army Air Forces for evaluation. The YR-13 was powered by a 175 hp (130 kW) Franklin O-335-1 piston engine. 10 of the aircraft were evaluated by the U.S. Navy as trainers.
YR-13A
3 YR-13 aircraft winterized for cold-weather testing in Alaska. Redesignated YH-13A in 1948.[7]
HTL-2
US Navy equivalent of the commercial Model 47D. 12 built.
HTL-3
US Navy equivalent of the commercial Model 47E, powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Franklin 6V4-200-C32 engine. Nine built.
H-13B
65 aircraft ordered in 1948 by the U.S. Army.[7] All Army versions were later named Sioux.
YH-13C
One H-13B used as engineering testbed. Fitted with skid undercarriage and open, uncovered tailboom.[7]
H-13C
16 H-13B aircraft converted to carry external stretchers in 1952, with skid landing gear and open tail boom of YH-13C.[7]
H-13D
Army two-seat version based on commercial model 47D-1, with skid landing gear, stretcher carriers, and Franklin O-335-5 engine. 87 built.[7]
OH-13E
H-13D configuration with three-seat aircraft with dual controls. 490 built.[7]
XH-13F/Bell 201
Modified Bell 47G powered by a Continental XT51-T-3 (Turbomeca Artouste) turboshaft.[7] The first Bell helicopter powered by a turbine engine.
OH-13G
Three-seater based on commercial model 47-G. Introduced a small elevator on the tailboom. 265 delivered to US Army.[8]
OH-13H/UH-13H
Based on 47G-2. Equipped with a 250 hp (186 kW) Lycoming VO-435 engine. At least 453 acquired by US Army.[8] UH-13Hs were used by the U.S. Air Force.
UH-13J
Two Bell 47J-1 Rangers acquired by the U.S. Air Force for VIP transport of the U.S. President. Originally designated H-13J.
OH-13K
Two converted H-13Hs with a larger diameter rotor and a 225 hp (168 kW) Franklin 6VS-335 engine for test evaluation.
TH-13L
Originally designated as the Navy HTL-4.
HTL-5
Utilized a Lycoming O-335-5 engine.
TH-13M
Incorporated a small movable elevator. Originally designated as the Navy HTL-6.
HH-13Q
Originally the HUL-1G, it was used by the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue.
UH-13R
Powered by an Allison YT63-A-3 turbposhaft engine. Original US Navy designation HUL-1M.
OH-13S
Three-seat observation helicopter based on 47G-3B to replace the OH-13H. 265 received by US Army.[8]
TH-13T
Two-seat instrument trainer for the U.S. Army based on the 47G-3B-1, powered by 270 hp (201 kW) Lycoming TVO-435-D1B. 411 purchased.[8]
Sioux AH.1
General purpose helicopter for the British Army, 50 built by Agusta (Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1) and 250 built by Westland (Westland-Augusta-Bell 47G-3B1).[9]
Sioux HT.2
Training helicopter for the Royal Air Force, 15 built by Westland.

Operators[]

Australian Army A1 Bell 47G Sioux - A1-398

Australian Army A1 Bell 47G Sioux (A1-398) used for training at RAAF Base Wagga.

Flag of Argentina Argentina
Flag of Australia Australia
Flag of Austria Austria
Flag of Brazil Brazil
Flag of Canada Canada
Flag of Chile Chile
Flag of Colombia Colombia
Flag of Cuba Cuba
Flag of Ecuador Ecuador
Flag of France France
Flag of Germany Germany
War Museum Athens - 6738

An H-13 at the War Museum in Athens, Greece.

Flag of Greece Greece
Flag of Iceland Iceland
Flag of Indonesia Indonesia
Flag of India India
Flag of Italy Italy
Flag of Jamaica Jamaica
Flag of Japan Japan
  • Japan Ground Self Defence Force[22]
  • Japan Maritime Self Defence Force[22]
Flag of Malaysia Malaysia
Flag of Malta Malta
Flag of Mexico Mexico
RNZAF Sioux 2009

A RNZAF Sioux in 2009

Flag of New Zealand New Zealand
Flag of Norway Norway
Flag of Paraguay Paraguay
Flag of Peru Peru
Flag of the Philippines Philippines
Flag of Senegal Senegal
Flag of South Yemen South Yemen
Flag of Spain Spain
Flag of Thailand Thailand
Flag of Turkey Turkey
XT131 RIAT Bthebest

Agusta Sioux AH.1 of the British Army Historic Flight.

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
United States
Flag of Uruguay Uruguay
Flag of Venezuela Venezuela

Survivors[]

BellH13PuebloMuseum

An H-13 in M*A*S*H paint scheme at Pueblo Museum.

H-13 Sioux

An H-13 on display at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

  • The Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo, Colorado has a restored H-13G with a "M*A*S*H"look.
  • The National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola has a HTL-4 on display, hanging from the ceiling.
  • The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City has a Bell 47D1 on permanent display.
  • Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA has a Bell H-13 with the M*A*S*H paint scheme in their "Hidden aircraft collection".
  • Adventure Aviation in Tauranga, New Zealand uses a Bell 47G in a "M*A*S*H"paint scheme for tourist scenic flights.[37]
  • Bell 47G-2 AS7201 of the Armed Forces of Malta was formally retired on May 30, 2008 and donated to the Malta Aviation Museum at Ta'Qali.
  • The United States Army Medical Museum located on base at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio Texas, has a Bell 47 on display with other helicopters.
  • Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum located in Horsham, PA has an H-13 on display.
  • H-13 on display at the War Memorial of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania has a restored Bell 47D1 converted to an H-13 and painted in "M*A*S*H"configuration.[38]
  • The Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok, Thailand has an OH-13H on display[39]
  • Fantasy of Flight,Polk City, Florida has a Bell 47G with a "M*A*S*H"paint scheme.
  • The Polytechnic University of Catalonia has an OH-13H on display in the Aeronautical Laboratory of the School of Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering of Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain.

Specifications (Sioux AH.1)[]


Data from Newark Air Museum,[40] Britains Small Wars.[41]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3
  • Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
  • Main rotor diameter: 2× 37 ft 0 in (11.3 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
  • Gross weight: 2952 lb (1339 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435-A1A, 260 hp (194 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 105 mph (169 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 84 mph (135 km/h)
  • Range: 273 miles (439 km)
  • Service ceiling: 16100 ft (4907 m)

Armament

  • The OH-1 was capable of carrying twin M37C.30 caliber machine guns, or twin M60 machine guns.[42] They rarely did so however, because according to a Military Channel documentary on the AH-1 attack helicopter ("World's Deadliest Aircraft"series), the guns' recoil was too great a strain on the engines.
  • Popular culture[]

    Bell 47G-MASH

    A late-model Bell 47G in M*A*S*H paint scheme.

    The Bell 47 appeared, and played key roles, in film and television productions. It has been associated with both the M*A*S*H film, and the M*A*S*H television series, and the Whirlybirds TV series (1957–1959).[43]

    See also[]

    Notes[]

    1. In the military of the United States, the Bell 47 carried several designations prior to 1962. R-13 was the first designation by the United States Army Air Forces, while the Navy designated their training version as HTL. In 1948, the United States Air Force changed the designation to H-13 which was also adopted by the Army, adding the name Sioux. The Navy and Coast Guard designated utility models as HUL. In 1962, under a joint designation system created by the Department of Defense, the designations for all of the helicopters were changed to a mission symbol followed by the vehicle type designator creating a two-letter prefix (OH, UH, XH, etc.), but the Bell 47 retained its original series number, 13 and the Army's popular name. To denote different models, a letter suffix was appended to the designation.

    References[]

    Footnotes[]

    1. Gunston American, p. 117.
    2. Donald, David, ed. "Bell Model 47". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
    3. 3.0 3.1 Pearcy, Arthur (1989). A History of Coast Guard Aviation. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-261-3. 
    4. James 1991, p. 55.
    5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "westland sioux — Helicopter Database". http://www.helis.com/database/model/277/. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
    6. Derek Bridges. "U.S. Military Aircraft and Weapon Designations". Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070306101712/http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/d/o/dob104/aviation/us/index.html. Retrieved 2007-04-17. 
    7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Harding 1990, p. 30.
    8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Harding 1990, p. 31.
    9. James 1991, pp. 484–485.
    10. "Argentine Army Aviation". http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/1186/. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968". Flight International. p. 48. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201204.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    12. "Argentina – Coast Guard". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Argentina---Coast/Bell-47J-2A-Ranger/1679013/L/&sid=b3ec3838549fe043107a6f2734d72935. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    13. "AAF Bell OH-13H Sioux (47)". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Austria---Air/Bell-OH-13H-Sioux/2101283/L/&sid=b3ec3838549fe043107a6f2734d72935. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    14. "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 "B"". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201205.html. Retrieved 7 February 2013. 
    15. "Bell 47G HTL-6". technomuses.ca. http://aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/BellHTL-6/. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 50". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201206.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 51". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201207.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    18. "Deutsches Museum". http://qsyon-route.blogspot.com/2010/06/deutsches-museum-27-06-2010.html. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 52". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201208.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    20. "Greece Air Force Bell-47G". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Greece---Air/Bell-47G-3B-2A/1301831/L/&sid=b3ec3838549fe043107a6f2734d72935. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    21. "Italian Air Force Bell-47G". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Italy---Air/Agusta-AB-47G-2/2184732/L/&sid=8f522980075b6b571fdc1f974e7d0a0c. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 53". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201209.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    23. "Tentara Udara Diraja Malaysia Bell 47-G". http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/1092/. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    24. "Malta Air Force Aircraft Types". aeroflight.co.uk. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/malta/af/types/maltaaf-aircraft.htm. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    25. "B47G-3B-2 Sioux". airforce.mil.nz. http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/aircraft/sioux.htm. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 54". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201210.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    27. "South Arabia and Yemen, 1945–1995". acig.org. http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_204.shtml. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 55". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201211.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    29. "RTAF history". thai-aviation.net. http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Air_Force_Summary.pdf. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    30. "Thai Bell-OH-13H-Sioux". Demand media. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Thailand---Air/Bell-OH-13H-Sioux/1650580/L/&sid=b3ec3838549fe043107a6f2734d72935. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    31. FLIGHT International. 23 November 1972. p. 754. 
    32. "Bell H-13 Sioux Helicopter -USAF". armedforcesmuseum.com. http://www.armedforcesmuseum.com/bell-h-13-sioux-helicopter/. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    33. "US Army OH-13". olive-drab.com. http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_h13sioux.php. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    34. "Monthan Memories". dhc-2.com. http://www.dhc-2.com/Monthan_Memories_01.html. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    35. "USCG History aircraft". http://www.helis.com/database/org/us_united_states_coast_guard/History. Retrieved 07-February-2013. 
    36. 36.0 36.1 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 60". http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201216.html. Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
    37. [1]
    38. [2]
    39. "Building 5: Helicopters and last propeller fighter". Royal Thai Air Force Museum. http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG5-2.HTM. 
    40. "Newark Air Museum — Westland Sioux AH.1". http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/360/where_to_go/newark_air_museum/two_seat_night_fighter.shtml. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
    41. "Britains Small Wars". Archived from the original on 31 December 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20081231181653/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Aden/aircraft.html. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
    42. U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems
    43. University of Toronto Bell 47 Web site project

    Bibliography[]

    • Donald, David (1997). The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY, NY: Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5. 
    • Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-875671-58-7. 
    • Gunston, Bill (1986). American Warplanes. New York: Crown Publishers Inc.. ISBN 0-517-61351-4. 
    • Harding, Stephen (1990). US Army Aircraft since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-102-8. 
    • James, Derek N. (1991). Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-847-X. 
    • Mutza, Wayne (1995). H-13 Sioux Mini in Action. Carrollton, TX, USA: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN 0-89747-345-0. 
    • Pelletier, Alain J (1992). Bell aircraft since 1935. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-056-8. 
    • Riley, David (February 1958). "French Helicopter Operations in Algeria". pp. pp. 21–26.. 
    • Shrader, Charles R. (1999). The first helicopter war: logistics and mobility in Algeria, 1954–1962. Westport, CT: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-96388-8. 
    • Spenser, Jay P. (1998). Whirlybirds a history of the U.S. helicopter pioneers. Seattle: University of Washington Press in association with Museum of Flight. ISBN 0-295-98058-3. 
    • Taylor, Michael John Haddrick (1989). Jane's encyclopedia of aviation. New York: Portland House. ISBN 0-517-69186-8. 
    • United States, Headquarters Department of the Army, Army Concept Team in Vietnam. Final Report of Essential Load of Scout Helicopters. Saigon, Vietnam: Army Concept Team in Vietnam, 1966.

    External links[]

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    The original article can be found at Bell H-13 Sioux and the edit history here.
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