The Bell 47J Ranger is a four-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Lycoming engine.
The prototype of the Bell 47 was flown first on 8 December 1945. The Bell 47 was certified for
civilian use on 8 March 1946. Production deliveries of the Bell Model 47 helicopter began in 1946.
The helicopter was delivered to civil and military operators.
The Bell 47 design developed over the years. In 1956, the Model 47J-1 with a 4-seat cabin and a
monocoque tail boom was introduced. The Bell 47-J-2 Ranger with hydraulic power controls, fixed elevator,
and metal rotor entered production in 1960. The sub-variant Model 47J-2A
is powered by a 270hp Turbocharged Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 engine.
This model was produced by Agusta in Italy as the Agusta-Bell 47J-2A Ranger. Agusta built 123
Model 47J-2/J-3 helicopters before production of the J-series ended in 1966. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the
Agusta-Bell 47J-2A is B47J On 6 March 2010, the Bell 47 type certificates
for Model 47H-1; 47B; 47B3; 47D1; 47D; 47G-2; 47G; 47 and 47E were transferred to Scott's-Bell 47 Inc.,
Le Sueur, Minnesota. Scott's intended to restart production of a turboshaft powered version of the helicopter, using a Rolls-Royce
RR300 engine and with composite rotor blades, with deliveries planned from 2016.
On 7 October 1964, Agusta-Bell 47J-2A Ranger s/n 2076 was registered PH-VAS in the Netherlands, with Limburgse Aannemings
Maatschappij NV, Heerlen. On 5 January 1967, the PH-VAS was registered
with NV Luchtvaartmaatschappij General Aviation, Luchthaven Rotterdam.
On 24 january 1972, registration PH-VAS was cancelled as exported and
the Agusta-Bell 47J-2A Ranger was registered I-TULI in Italy with
Eliservizi Italia Roma. Since, the 1964-built helicopter was withdrawn from use and
registration I-TULI was cancelled. On 29 June 1968, Agusta-Bell 47J-2A Ranger PH-VAS was
seen at Groningen Airport Eelde (EHGG/GRQ) when it was in for the Dutch TT in Assen.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
