How many years was the Bell 47 produced?

Short answer

The Bell 47 was produced from 1946 to 1974. More than 5,600 units were built, including those produced under license by Agusta in Italy, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan, and Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom. It entered US military service in late 1946.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many years was the Bell 47 produced?

Bell 47G-2 SE HCCAlan Wilson (CC BY SA), vía commons

From 1946 to 1974

Production of the Bell 47 spanned the years from 1946 to 1974. On 8 March 1946 the aircraft had become the first helicopter certified for civil use.

Three decades in military service

In late 1946 the Bell 47 entered military service in the United States, where it operated in various versions and under different designations for three decades. The US Army knew it as the H-13 Sioux.

Over 5,600 examples and several licenses

Production exceeded 5,600 aircraft. That total includes those built under license by Agusta in Italy, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan, and Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom. The 47G-2A-1 variant featured a wider cabin, improved rotor blades, and increased fuel capacity, and it was also built under license in Italy by Agusta.