The Bell 47 Helicopter Story (by Robert S Petite and Jeffrey C Evans)

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This book is one that you will dip into time and time again, especially if you have a passion for this long-living helicopter. This huge and important volume is by far the most comprehensive account of the world's first commercial helicopter: The ground-breaking Bell Model 47. The story begins before the end of the Second World War at the Bell Aircraft Corporation's leased auto dealership garage in Gardenville, New York. Here, President Larry Bell set up his 'Gyro Test' program to develop the Bell Model 30 Helicopter, under the direction of inventor Author Young and associates. The development and construction of four versions of the Model 30 are covered in detail. The successful Model 30 program morphed into the Model 47 helicopter and the birth of a new civil rotary-wing industry. All models of the Bell Model 47 are covered, from the pre-production Model 47 prototype to the moment when the last Bell 47 came off the production line.

Every model is detailed and pictured herein: commercial and military versions, overseas licensees, experimentals, turbine engine helicopters, types that never made it into production, and many variant models. Included are the many operators worldwide who employed the Model 47 for logging and powerline surveys, forest fire suppression, military and disaster evacuations, law enforcement, agriculture, and including tourism, air taxi and package delivery services. This book is said to set new aviation standards, containing over 1000 quality photographs and diagrams, detailed text and an unsurpassed wealth of information - the only one of its kind!