Item ST 28167 Helicopter Model - Agusta Bell 47J, Pattern Date 1945

Summary

Model History:
Chrome-plated metal presentation model of an Italian-built Agusta Bell 47J, donated to the Museum by the Australian War Memorial in 1971. It had previously been donated to the Memorial by the Italian Embassy in Canberra. It carries Italian Air Force markings.

Aircraft History:
The Bell 47 series of helicopters were the first to see widespread civilian and military use. The design originated during World War II as an experimental light helicopter for the US Army. The Model 47 first flew in December 1945 and later became the first helicopter to received certification for civilian use by the US Civil Aeronautics Administration. Military production began in the late 1940s for the US Army and Navy. The Korean War provided the first opportunity to use helicopters in observation and casualty evacuation roles (for which the Bell 47 was later made famous by the television series M.A.S.H). The Bell 47G was the most widely used model and as the military Sioux version it was used by the Australian Army's 161 Reconaissance Flight in Vietnam in an observation and communication role. The Bell 47J model was produced in Italy by Agusta. It differed externally from earlier models by having a tail boom clad with aluminium as opposed to open tubular construction.