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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m presenting an iconic helicopter that served with the French armed forces: the Bell 47 G-2.
The Bell 47 is a light helicopter produced by Bell Helicopter. It made its first flight in 1945 and entered service in 1946. The aircraft was developed in several variants, benefiting over time from improvements, particularly in terms of engines and flight systems. Adopted by the US Army in 1947 under the designation H-13 Sioux, it became one of the very first helicopters to equip armed forces and would be used by many countries around the world.
France, like many other nations, quickly decided to equip itself with this type of aircraft. An initial order was placed in 1954 for the G-1 version, produced under license by the Italian manufacturer Agusta. Given the highly satisfactory results, the General Staff decided to order a second batch, this time in the G-2 version. These helicopters were then integrated into various branches of the French armed forces, Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie, while retaining their original designation, as the H-13 designation had never been used in France.
Within the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT), the Bell 47 participated in numerous conflicts and operations. Versatile, it was used for reconnaissance missions, VIP transport, medical evacuation, and as a command post. Deployed in various theaters of operation, it particularly distinguished itself by its ability to rapidly evacuate the wounded, thus helping to save many lives, notably during the Algerian War.
However, despite its versatility, the Bell 47 was unarmed. Neither the Americans nor the Italians had designed it for this role. Faced with the emergence of armed helicopters, both in foreign armies and within the French armed forces themselves (such as the Djinn and the Alouette), the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) considered arming its Bell 47 G-2s, particularly due to their more powerful engines which allowed for an increased payload.
An initial idea was to install two infantrymen lying prone on either side of the cabin, each equipped with a machine gun. This solution was quickly abandoned due to the high risk to the soldiers and the significant personnel commitment required. A second approach was then explored: the integration of the SS-10 missile, already used on the Djinn. Tests were conducted, but the arrival of more modern helicopters specifically designed for close air support rendered these modifications obsolete. The plans to arm the Bell 47 were ultimately abandoned.
The Bell 47 remained in service with the French armed forces until the early 1980s. Gradually relegated to secondary missions, it was mainly used for pilot training before being withdrawn from service.
Characteristics
Length : 12.60 m
Width : 10.70 m
Height : 2.82 m
Mass :
- Min : 770 kg
- Max : 1135 kg
The aircraft is powered by a 260 hp Lycoming VO-435 engine (limited to 200 hp), allowing it to reach a speed of 160 km/h and an altitude of 4,400 m. Its range is 260 km, or nearly 3 hours of flight time. The crew consists of a pilot and an observer.
Weapons
The aircraft’s armament is particularly simple, consisting of either two SS-10 anti-vehicle missiles or two gunners installed on either side of the cockpit.
In-game, this aircraft would be a particularly interesting addition, bringing a small, light helicopter to the French low-level Br tree, thus complementing the existing French helicopter tree in an interesting way.
Sources
- Bell 47
- Présentation de l’hélicoptère BELL 47 et AGUSTA-BELL ALAT - ALAT.FR
- Page d’accueil de l’hélicoptère BELL 47 et AGUSTA-BELL ALAT - ALAT.FR
- BELL 47G1.pdf - Google Drive
- L’histoire du Bell 47 - Helico-Fascination
- Photos de l’hélicoptère BELL 47 et AGUSTA-BELL ALAT - ALAT.FR
- 02 - Les Hélicoptères Bell 47. - Le blog de Avions de la Guerre d’Algérie
