Taking a Flight in the Bell 47

Ride along on a Microsoft Flight Simulator journey through history in a Bell 47 helicopter.

Patrick Chovanec

Friday, August 04, 2023 at 04:22 PM ET

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[Image courtesy of Patrick Chovanec]

Key Takeaways:

Conceived by Arthur Young and developed by Bell Aircraft, the Bell 47 was the first helicopter certified for civilian use in 1946, marking a significant milestone in rotorcraft history.
It achieved iconic status during the Korean War as the H-13 Sioux, critically used by MASH units for medical evacuations, which dramatically improved wounded soldier survival rates and was famously featured in the TV show *M*A*S*H*.
Beyond its military role, the Bell 47 proved incredibly versatile in civilian applications, serving as the first TV news copter, aiding law enforcement, training Apollo astronauts, and establishing the public image of the adaptable "whirlybird."

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Today in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, I’m in Korea to fly the Bell 47, the iconic chopper from the TV show M*A*S*H and the first helicopter to be certified for civilian use.

The Bell 47 was produced by Bell Aircraft, founded by Larry Bell in 1935. Bell was known for producing highly innovative if not necessarily successful airplanes during World War II, most notably the tricycle-gear P-39 Airacobra fighter.