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U. S. Military Aircraft Bell H-13 SIOUX
Photo by Coil B. Thouanel |
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First flown in December 1945, the Model 47 was the first helicopter to received civil certification. The type proved easy to fly and to maintain, and was as popular with military as with civilians. Up to 1973 5,000 examples were built by bell and its Agusta Kawasaki, and Westland licensees. Military procurement began in 1947, when the Bell received orders for 28 model 47As, 18 YR-13s went to the US Army Air Force and 10 YTL-1s to the US Navy In 1948 the US Army bought 65 Examples of the H-13B Sioux. The Model 47 was steadily developed with more powerful engines, skids landing gear, the covered boom replaced by lattice with tail plane, and a goldfish bowl cockpit. The type has proved remarkable versatile, and is still in service. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Bell | Fuselage Length: 27 ft. 4 in. |
| First Flight: December 1945 | Height: 9 ft. 6 in. |
| Model: H-13H | Empty Weight: 1,564 lb. |
| Crew: one and 2 passengers | Max. Weight: 2,450 lb. |
| Nickname: Sioux | Pay Load: two passengers or freight. |
| Basic Role: light utility helicopter. |
Dimensions |
| Other Versions: H-13B initial utility model, H-13C casualty evacuation Model, H-13D updated casevac model, H-13E three seat casevac model with duel controls, H-13H Lycoming rather than Franklin engine, TH-13T instrument trainer. | Main Rotor Diameter; 35 ft. 1 in. |
| Principal User: Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Great Britain, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Libya, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Zaire, and Zambia. | Height: 27 ft. 4 in. |
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Performance |
Main Rotor Disk Area: 965.21 sq. ft. |
| Range: 238 miles. |
Propulsion |
| Max. Speed: 100 mph at sea level. | Power Plant: Lycoming VO-435 flat six piston engine. |
| Ceiling: 13,200 ft. | Horsepower: 200-hp |
| Climb Rate: 770 ft. per min. | No. Of Engines: One |