https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_H-13_Sioux
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.
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.
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. The Coast Guard procured two of Bell's Model 47G and
designated them HUL-1G in 1959.
The H-13 was used as an observation helicopter early in the Vietnam War, before
being replaced by the OH-6 Cayuse in 1966.
Role
Light observation helicopter
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Bell Aircraft / Bell Helicopter
First flight
8 December 1945 (Bell 47 prototype)
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
Bell H-13J Sioux
Bell XH-13F
Developed into
Bell 207 Sioux Scout
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 "soap bubble"
canopy (as its designer Arthur M. Young termed it), exposed welded-tube tail
boom, saddle fuel tanks and skid landing gear. In its UH-13J version, based on
the Bell 47J, it had a metal-clad tail boom and fuselage and an enclosed cockpit
and cabin.
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.
Specifications (Sioux AH.1)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 3
Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
Gross weight: 2952 lb (1339 kg)
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. 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.
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