Bell 47g At Hars - 14 Aug. 16

[winston]

I was at HARS for their monthly tarmac day last Sunday and out the front was a Bell 47G, rego VH-XTF. Asking, the HARS volunteer said it was from Bankstown and down for the Long Tan 50th Anniversary remembrance.

I couldn't see a serial, but does anyone know if this is A1-397?

Thanks

(IMG:https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8173/29031743045_6e201fb7f9_b.jpg)

This post has been edited by winston on Aug 17 2016, 07:40 AM

[Joe Barr]

According to the CASA website VH-XTF has construction number 6659 which does not equate to any of the Bell 47s on our site. They also say it was first registered in 2003 and manufactured in 1961 so unlikely to be ex A1-397.

Joe

[winston]

Thank Joe.

I looked at that, but it seems to me there are some inconsistencies.

Certainly 6659 is not a construction number which relates to any ex-Australian 47's, however the manufacture date of 1961 doesn't add up to that construction number either. If you look a the Australian Bell 47's with construction numbers in the 66XX range, they were all delivered in 1967.

The first registered date isn't meaningful either is it? If it was sold and not airworthy, it doesn't need to be registered does it? I would think that it would only be in the event that someone was going to make it airworthy that it would need to be registered.

Could this aircraft be a composite?

Anyway, if it's not ex-Australian Army, it certainly looked the part. I hope to see it around some more.

[Joe Barr]

Agree about the inconsistencies, Winston. I also wondered if it could be a composite with ac/n from one part and a build date of another. perhaps one of the Sydney gang can do a bit of sleuthing!

[Andy Marden]

As stated above, c/n 6659 was built in September 1967.
It has been civil registered in Australia all of its life, becoming VH-FJQ initially.
Andy