In May 1946, the Bell Model 47 became the first helicopter in the world to receive a commercial type certificate. The helicopter’s high price of over $20,000 resulted in few early commercial sales, but the military showed an early interest in the design and the Army acquired its first example in December 1946. HTL-2 is the Navy designation for the improved Model 47D with a more powerful engine and a Plexiglas bubble cockpit. A total of twelve HTL-2s were built and all were delivered to the Navy in 1948. The HTL-2 on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum is the first one built.
Diameter of Main Rotor
35 ft 1.5 in.
Length
41 ft 2.5 in.
Height
9 ft 2 in.
Weight
2,078 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
92 MPH
Service Ceiling
13,000 ft
Range
214 miles
Engine
One Franklin O-335-3 engine with 178 horsepower
Crew
2
Manufacturer Bell
Markings Test Squadron 3 (VX-3), San Diego Naval Air Station, California, 1948
Serial Number 122952
Designation HTL-2
Pima Air & Space Museum
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.