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The Bell H-13 Sioux is a single-engine single-rotor light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. Westland Aircraft manufactured the Sioux under license for the British military as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2.

Development[]

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In 1947, the United States Army Air Forces (later the United States Air Force) ordered the improved Bell Model 47A. Most were designated YR-13 and three winterized versions were designated YR-13A. The United States Army first ordered Bell 47s in 1948 under the designation H-13. These would later receive the name Sioux.[1]

Initially, the United States Navy procured several Bell 47s, designated HTL-1, between 1947 and 1958. The United States Coast Guard evaluated this model, and procured two HTL-1s for multi-mission support in the New York Harbor. The most common U.S. Navy version of the 47 was designated the HTL-4, and dispenses with the fabric covering on the tail boom. The U.S. Coast Guard procured three HTL-5s in 1952 (similar to the HTL-4 but powered by a Franklin O-335-5 engine) and used these until 1960.[2] The Coast Guard procured two of Bell's Model 47G and designated them HUL-1G in 1959.[2]

The H-13 was one of the principle helicopters used by the U.S. Army during the Korean War, with the H-13D variant being the most prevalent. During the war it was used in a wide variety of roles including observation, reconnaissance, and medivac. It was also used as an observation helicopter early in the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse in 1966.

The Bell 47 was ordered by the British Army as the Sioux to meet specification H.240, with licensed production by Westland Helicopters. In order to comply with the terms of its licence agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft, which prevented it building a U.S. competitor's aircraft, Westland licensed the Model 47 from Agusta, who had purchased a license from Bell.[3] the first contract was for 200 helicopters. The first 50 helicopters of the contract were built by Agusta at Gallarate in Italy followed by 150 built by Westland at Yeovil. The first Westland Sioux made its maiden flight on 9 March 1965.[4]

Design[]

The Sioux is a three-seat observation and basic training helicopter. In 1953 the Bell 47G design was introduced. It can be recognized by the full "soap bubble" canopy (as its designer Arthur M. Young termed it),[5] exposed welded-tube tail boom, saddle fuel tanks and skid landing gear. In its UH-13J version, based on the Bell 47J, it had a metal-clad tail boom and fuselage and an enclosed cockpit and cabin.

The H-13 and its military variants were often equipped with medical evacuation panniers, one to each skid, with an acrylic glass shield to protect the patient from wind.

A single 260 hp Lycoming VO-435 piston engine was fitted to the 47G variant. Fuel was fed from two high-mounted external tanks. A single two-bladed rotor with short inertial stabilising minor blades was used on the Sioux.[4]

Variants[]

Military[]

File:Bell 47 (H-13G) medevac inflight bw.jpg

An H-13 with med-evac panniers

YR-13/HTL-1
Template:Efn 28 Bell 47A helicopters procured by the United States Army Air Forces for evaluation. The YR-13 was powered by a 175 hp (130 kW) Franklin O-335-1 piston engine. 10 of the aircraft were evaluated by the U.S. Navy as trainers.
YR-13A
3 YR-13 aircraft winterized for cold-weather testing in Alaska. Redesignated YH-13A in 1948.[6]
HTL-2
US Navy equivalent of the commercial Model 47D. 12 built.
HTL-3
US Navy equivalent of the commercial Model 47E, powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Franklin 6V4-200-C32 engine. Nine built.
H-13B
65 aircraft ordered in 1948 by the U.S. Army.[6] All Army versions were later named Sioux.
YH-13C
One H-13B used as engineering testbed. Fitted with skid undercarriage and open, uncovered tailboom.[6]
H-13C
16 H-13B aircraft converted to carry external stretchers in 1952, with skid landing gear and open tail boom of YH-13C.[6]
H-13D
Army two-seat version based on commercial model 47D-1, with skid landing gear, stretcher carriers, and Franklin O-335-5 engine. 87 built.[6]
OH-13E
H-13D configuration with three-seat aircraft with dual controls. 490 built.[6]
XH-13F/Bell 201
Modified Bell 47G powered by a Continental XT51-T-3 (Turbomeca Artouste) turboshaft.[6] The first Bell helicopter powered by a turbine engine.
OH-13G
Three-seater based on commercial model 47-G. Introduced a small elevator on the tailboom. 265 delivered to US Army.[7]
OH-13H/UH-13H
Based on 47G-2. Equipped with a 250 hp (186 kW) Lycoming VO-435 engine. At least 453 acquired by US Army.[7] UH-13Hs were used by the U.S. Air Force.
UH-13J
Two Bell 47J-1 Rangers acquired by the U.S. Air Force for VIP transport of the U.S. President. Originally designated H-13J.
OH-13K
Two converted H-13Hs with a larger diameter rotor and a 225 hp (168 kW) Franklin 6VS-335 engine for test evaluation.
TH-13L
Originally designated as the Navy HTL-4.
HTL-5
Utilized a Lycoming O-335-5 engine.
TH-13M
Incorporated a small movable elevator. Originally designated as the Navy HTL-6.
HH-13Q
Originally the HUL-1G, it was used by the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue.
UH-13R
Powered by an Allison YT63-A-3 turboshaft engine. Original US Navy designation HUL-1M.
OH-13S
Three-seat observation helicopter based on 47G-3B to replace the OH-13H. 265 received by US Army.[7]
TH-13T
Two-seat instrument trainer for the U.S. Army based on the 47G-3B-1, powered by 270 hp (201 kW) Lycoming TVO-435-D1B. 411 purchased.[7]
Sioux AH.1
General purpose helicopter for the British Army, 50 built by Agusta (Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1) and 250 built by Westland (Westland-Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1).[8] A small number also used by 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron of the Royal Marines.
Sioux HT.2
Training helicopter for the Royal Air Force, 15 built by Westland.
Texas Helicopter M74 Wasp
Texas Helicopter Corporation single-seat conversion of OH-13E helicopters for agricultural use, powered by 200 hp (kW {{{4}}}) Lycoming TVO-435-A1E engines. Certified 1976.[9]
Texas Helicopter M74A
Texas Helicopter Corporation single-seat conversion of OH-13H helicopters for agricultural use, powered by Lycoming TVO-435 engine rated at 240 hp (kW {{{4}}}) for 2 minutes. Certified 1977.[9]
Texas Helicopter M79S Wasp II
Texas Helicopter Corporation conversion for agricultural use, with tandem seating and stub wing fuel tanks. Powered by Lycoming TVO-435 engine rated at 270 hp (kW {{{4}}}) for 5 minutes.[9]
Texas Helicopter M79T Jet Wasp II
Texas Helicopter Corporation conversion of Bell 47G helicopters for agricultural use, powered by 420 hp (kW {{{4}}}) Soloy-Allison 250-C20S engines.

Operators[]

File:Australian Army A1 Bell 47G Sioux - A1-398.jpg

Australian Army A1 Bell 47G Sioux (A1-398) used for training at RAAF Base Wagga.

Template:ARG
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  • Brazilian Air Force[14]
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  • Royal Canadian Navy[15]
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  • Colombian Air Force[16]
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  • Air Defense Force[16]
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  • Ecuadorian Air Force[17]
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  • French Air Force[17]
Template:GER
File:Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing Agusta AB-47G (cropped).jpg

A Maltese Air Wing H-13

Template:GRE
Template:HON
  • Honduran Air Force[21]
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  • Icelandic Coast Guard[19]
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  • Indonesian Air Force[19]
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  • Indian Air Force[19]
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Template:JAM
  • Jamaica Defence Force[23]
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  • Japan Ground Self Defence Force[23]
  • Japan Maritime Self Defence Force[23]
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  • Royal Malaysian Air Force[24]
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  • Maltese Air Wing[25]
Template:MEX
File:RNZAF Sioux 2009.jpg

A RNZAF Sioux in 2009

Template:NZL
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Template:PER
Template:PHI
  • Philippine Air Force[27]
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  • Senegalese Air Force[27]
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  • South Vietnam Air Force operated several helicopters since April 1956.
    • 1st Helicopter Squadron
    • 2nd Helicopter Squadron
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  • South Yemeni Air Force[29]
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Template:Flagicon image Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka Air Force
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  • Republic of China Army[32]
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Template:TUR
  • Turkish Air Force[30]
File:XT131 RIAT Bthebest.JPG

Agusta Sioux AH.1 of the British Army Historic Flight.

Template:UK
Template:USA
Template:URU
  • Uruguayan Air Force[40]
  • Uruguayan Naval Aviation[40]
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  • Venezuelan Air Force[40]
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  • Zambian Air Force[41]

Surviving aircraft[]

Canada[]

  • RCN 1387 – HTL-6 on static display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.[42]

Germany[]

  • 58-5348 – OH-13H on static display at the Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg in Bückeburg, Lower Saxony.[43]
  • XT548 – Sioux AH.1 on static display at the Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Hermeskeil, Rhineland-Palatinate.[44][45]

Pakistan[]

  • OH-13 on static display at the Pakistan Army Museum in Rawalpindi, Punjab.Template:Citation needed

South Africa[]

  • XT562 – Bell 47 on static display at Port Elizabeth Branch of the South African Air Force Museum in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.[46]

South Korea[]

File:H-13 Sioux.jpg

An H-13 on display at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

  • H-13 on static display at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.Template:Citation needed

Spain[]

  • OH-13H on static display at the Aeronautical Laboratory of the School of Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Terrassa, Barcelona.Template:Citation needed

Taiwan[]

  • 1101 – OH-13H on display at Aviaton Education Exhibition Hall, a subsidiary of the Republic of China Air Force Academy.[32]
  • 2110 – OH-13H on display at Longtan Sports Park at Taoyuan City, Taiwan.[47][48]

Thailand[]

  • 56-2182/H7-9/15 – OH-13H on display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.[49][50]

United Kingdom[]

  • XT148 – Sioux AH.1 under restorationTemplate:Citation needed at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.[51]
  • XT190 – Sioux AH.1 on static display at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.[52][53]
  • XT200 – Sioux AH.1 on static display at the Newark Air Museum in Newark, Nottinghamshire.[54]

United States[]

File:BellH13PuebloMuseum.jpg

An H-13 in M*A*S*H paint scheme at Pueblo Museum.

File:Bell OH-13D Sioux RSideFront CFM 7Oct2011 (15138580578).jpg

OH-13 at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum

  • 48-0796 – On display at the South Carolina Military Museum in Columbia, South Carolina. It is the first H-13B airframe, serial number 101, and came off the production line in mid-July 1948.[55][56]
  • 48-0845 – H-13C on display at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Enterprise, Alabama.[57][58]
  • 51-13934 – OH-13E on static display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.[59][60]
  • 51-14010 – OH-13E on static display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Joint Base Langley–Eustis near Newport News, Virginia.[61]
  • 51-14062 or 51-14077 – OH-13E on static display at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey in Teterboro, New Jersey.[62]
  • 51-14175 – OH-13E on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.[63][64]
  • 51-14193 – OH-13E on display at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Enterprise, Alabama.[57][65]
  • 51-14218 – OH-13E on display at the United States Army Aviation Museum in Enterprise, Alabama.[57][66]
  • 52-7833 – OH-13G on display at the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum in Horsham, Pennsylvania.[67][68]
  • 56-2217 – UH-13H on static display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California.[69][70]
  • 58-1520 – H-13 on static display at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder, South Dakota.[71]
  • 58-1528 – OH-13H airworthy with Ocean Air Inc. of Eugene, Oregon.[72][73]
  • 63-9085 – OH-13S on display at the Texas Air & Space Museum in Amarillo, Texas. It wears a "M*A*S*H" paint scheme and is on loan from Amarillo College.[74]
  • 64-15338 – HTL on static display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California.[75]
  • 64-15393 – OH-13S on static display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, New York.[76]
  • 65-8040 – TH-13T airworthy at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas. It is painted as a H-13D.[77][78]
  • 67-15963 – TH-13T on static display at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo, Colorado. It has a "M*A*S*H" paint scheme.[79][80]
  • 67-17053 – TH-13T on display at Hill Aerospace Museum in Ogden, Utah.[81]
  • 122952 – HTL-2 on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.[82]
  • 128911 – HTL-4 on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.[83]
  • 142377 – HTL-6 on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.[83]
  • 142394 – HTL-6 on static display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California.[75]
  • 145842 – TH-13N on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.[84]
  • Unknown ID – Unknown variant airworthy at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.[85][86][87]
  • The United States Army Medical Department Museum located on base at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas, has a Bell 47 on display with other helicopters.[88]
  • H-13D on display at U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, Huntsville, Alabama.[89]

Specifications (Sioux AH.1)[]

Template:Aircraft specs

Popular culture[]

File:Bell 47G-MASH.jpg

A late-model Bell 47G in M*A*S*H paint scheme.

The Bell 47 appeared, and played key roles, in film and television productions. It has been associated with both the M*A*S*H film, and the television series, as well the Whirlybirds TV series (1957–1959).[90][91]

See also[]

Related development

  • Agusta A.115
  • Continental Copters El Tomcat
  • H-13J Sioux
  • Kawasaki KH-4
  • Meridionali/Agusta EMA 124

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Notes[]

Template:Notelist

References[]

Footnotes[]

  1. Donald, David, ed. "Bell Model 47". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. Template:ISBN.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedPearcy, Arthur (1989). . Naval Institute Press.
  3. James 1991, p. 55.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 westland sioux — Helicopter Database.
  5. Template:Cite AV media
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Harding 1990, p. 30.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harding 1990, p. 31.
  8. James 1991, pp. 484–485.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Template:Harvnb
  10. Argentine Army Aviation.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968. Flight International.
  12. Argentina – Coast Guard. Demand media.
  13. AAF Bell OH-13H Sioux (47). Demand media.
  14. FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 "B". Flight International.
  15. Bell 47G HTL-6. technomuses.ca.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 50.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 51.
  18. Deutsches Museum.
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 52. Flight International.
  20. Greece Air Force Bell-47G. Demand media.
  21. Template:Harvnb
  22. Italian Air Force Bell-47G. airliners.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 53.
  24. Tentara Udara Diraja Malaysia Bell 47-G.
  25. Malta Air Force Aircraft Types. aeroflight.co.uk.
  26. B47G-3B-2 Sioux. airforce.mil.nz.
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 54.
  28. Template:Cite magazine
  29. South Arabia and Yemen, 1945–1995. acig.org.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 55.
  31. Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedCooper, Tom (2018). Paradise Afire: The Sri Lankan War, 1971-1987. Helion Limited.
  32. 32.0 32.1 二樓懸掛展示區-航空教育展示館.
  33. RTAF history. thai-aviation.net.
  34. Thai Bell-OH-13H-Sioux. Demand media.
  35. Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specified (23 November 1972).
  36. Bell H-13 Sioux Helicopter -USAF. armedforcesmuseum.com.
  37. US Army OH-13. olive-drab.com.
  38. Monthan Memories. dhc-2.com.
  39. USCG History aircraft.
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 Pg 60.
  41. World Air Forces 1975 pg 314. flightglobal.com.
  42. BELL 47G HTL-6. Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation.
  43. Bell 47G-2 (H-13 SIOUX).
  44. [Homepage] (de).
  45. Airframe Dossier - Bell47 / H-13 Sioux, s/n XT548 RAF, c/n WA-437. AerialVisuals.ca.
  46. History of the Port Elizabeth SAAF Museum.
  47. 幸美 (kimidodo). LongTan@龍潭運動公園A飛彈坦克直升機(桃園) @ 蝸牛漫步"@_Kimidodo's Taipei Free Walk :: 痞客邦 :: (zh-TW).
  48. 白鷺鷥 (kimidodo) (2016-12-10). 【陸軍】教練直升機TH-55C.
  49. Building 5:Helicopters and last propeller fighter.
  50. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13H Sioux, s/n H7-9/15 RTAF, c/n 1894. AerialVisuals.ca.
  51. Exhibits. North East Land, Sea and Air Museums.
  52. The Collection [Europe].
  53. Airframe Dossier - Bell47 / H-13 Sioux, s/n XT190 RAF, c/n WA-349. AerialVisuals.ca.
  54. Aircraft List.
  55. H-13B "Sioux" Helicopter. South Carolina Military Museum.
  56. Airframe Dossier - Bell H-13D Sioux, s/n 48-0796 US, c/n 101, c/r N8310. AerialVisuals.ca.
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 Rotary Wing. Army Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc..
  58. Airframe Dossier - Bell H-13C Sioux, s/n 48-0845 US, c/n 129. AerialVisuals.ca.
  59. Helicopters. Evergreen Museum.
  60. Airframe Dossier - Bell47 / H-13 Sioux, s/n 51-13934 US Army. AerialVisuals.ca.
  61. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13E Sioux, s/n 51-14010 US, c/n 0775. AerialVisuals.ca.
  62. 1951 USAF Serial Numbers (1 February 2017).
  63. Bell 47D-1 Sioux (OH-13E) (en-US) (2017-02-04).
  64. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13E Sioux, s/n 51-14175 US, c/n 940, c/r N55230. AerialVisuals.ca.
  65. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13E Sioux, s/n 51-14193 US, c/n 958. AerialVisuals.ca.
  66. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13E Sioux, s/n 51-14218 US, c/n 993. AerialVisuals.ca.
  67. Bell H-13G "Sioux". Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum.
  68. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13G Sioux, s/n 52-7833 US, c/n 1060. AerialVisuals.ca.
  69. Aircraft on Display. Castle Air Museum.
  70. Bell UH-13H 'Sioux' SN: 56-2217.
  71. Exhibits.
  72. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13H Sioux, s/n 58-1528 US, c/n 2292, c/r N9025.
  73. FAA REGISTRY [N9025]. U.S. Department of Transportation.
  74. Bell OH-13S Sioux 63-9085 N9263Z.
  75. 75.0 75.1 Aircraft Listing.
  76. Airframe Dossier - Bell OH-13S Sioux, s/n 64-15393 US. AerialVisuals.ca.
  77. Aircraft.
  78. FAA REGISTRY [N55ER]. U.S. Department of Transportation.
  79. Actual Aircraft on Display in Pueblo.
  80. Airframe Dossier - Bell47 / H-13 Sioux, s/n 67-15963 USAF, c/r N14941. AerialVisuals.ca.
  81. Bell TH-13T "Sioux".
  82. SIOUX. PimaAir.org.
  83. 83.0 83.1 Sioux on Display. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation (December 16, 2013).
  84. SIOUX. PimaAir.org.
  85. 1954 Bell 47G. Fantasy of Flight.
  86. Airframe Dossier - Bell47 / H-13 Sioux, s/n 56-143170 US Army, c/n 1685, c/r N147DP. AerialVisuals.ca.
  87. FAA REGISTRY [N147DP]. U.S. Department of Transportation.
  88. Vehicles.
  89. Bell H-13D Helicopter. U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum.
  90. M*A*S*H. rotaryaction.com.
  91. Whirlybirds. rotaryaction.com.

Bibliography[]

  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedDonald, David (1997). . Barnes & Noble.
  • Template:Cite journal
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedFrawley, Gerard (2003). . Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedGunston, Bill (1986). . Crown Publishers Inc..
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedHagedorn, Daniel P. (1993). . Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedHarding, Stephen (1990). . Airlife Publishing.
  • Template:Cite magazine
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedJames, Derek N. (1991). . Putnam.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedMutza, Wayne (1995). . Squadron/Signal Publications.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedPelletier, Alain J (1992). . Naval Institute Press.
  • Template:Cite journal
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedShrader, Charles R. (1999). . Praeger.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedSpenser, Jay P. (1998). Whirlybirds a history of the U.S. helicopter pioneers. University of Washington Press in association with Museum of Flight.
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specified. Jane's Publishing (1980).
  • Error on call to Template:cite book: Parameter title must be specifiedTaylor, Michael John Haddrick (1989). . Portland House.
  • United States, Headquarters Department of the Army, Army Concept Team in Vietnam. Final Report of Essential Load of Scout Helicopters. Saigon, Vietnam: Army Concept Team in Vietnam, 1966.

External links[]

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