Bell 47 Walkaround Oshkosh 2022

[@JacobTJ1]

This guy can explain things very well. He gave a whole class on how a helicopter works.

[@Turbo496Vette]

My thoughts exactly! I jumped off my roof after this to see if I could auto-rotate 😂

[@ianmangham4570]

@@Turbo496Vette When I was young "way back when" I'd jump from the kitchen roof with a large fishing umbrella 🤣 ,sure did hurt my ankles 🤕

[@poshegg8880]

He seems like a very nice guy, indeed, Jacob.

[@waynemorgan8727]

When he was explaining how the cyclic works to adjust the main rotor plane, he meant to say the principle involved in getting the action of the main rotor plane to tilt is "gyroscopic precession" rather than "geometric procession". When we get that old, it's easy to have trouble coming up with the proper word at times. Not a bad explanation but a newbie flight instructor would probably give him crap over the "geometric procession" mistake. . .

[@waynemorgan8727]

I'd also add that most of the people I've known with considerable time in a piston-driven helicopter don't have "Marty Feldman" eyes, but can tell pretty closely what their engine rpm is from the sound of it.

[@TheJRvidman]

I fly model helicopters for 23 years now, and I thought I know everything about helicopters. Man, I could listen to this guy all day! Great explanations in a perfect way.

[@davidkerbow5840]

Mike gave my son-in-law and me a ride about 15 years ago in the -47. And, Mike and I both flew for Flexjet for many years as well. He is like the Energizer Bunny..never stops.

[@ErikJohnston]

Haha, too cool! Yeah Mike is a great guy

[@jps99]

My Dad flew Bell 47s all over the Canadian North / Arctic in the late 50's. Later, he became a Tech Rep for Bell and did a support tour in Vietnam in '65. I was lucky enough to be raised around helicopters and the pilots and engineers who crewed them. Great folks!

[@ianmangham4570]

Awesome 👌

[@paulnix9778]

Very nice walk-around - enjoyed it. (As a child in the late 1950s there was a TV show called 'Whirlybirds' which featured the Bell 47.)

[@701Builder]

Beautiful machine and a beautiful interview, you let the man talk and it was absolute perfection!

[@ErikJohnston]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roostercogburn809]

Great walkaround... In the late 60's, Santa Claus used to land in a Bell 47 at the elementary schools in our town, they would land in the playground with all the kids standing off in the distance, really cool.

[@elite.executiveprotection]

I'm in Australia and I am starting my Diploma in Aviation for the Bell 47 and Robinson 22 from 04/01/24( career change at 47 years old ) and this guy explains it so well and he didn't rush it, I could listen to him all day! It was awesome to hear about the mechanical side of things and the terminology on how things work and what they do, so thanks mate..

[@antebellum45]

What a joy to listen to the low-key no-nonsense explanations. Especially love the almost off-the-cuff comments which show the thousands of hours of experience with the machine. Like the comment about the tail rotor control with your little finger, the oil pressure switch position, or about the early Huey's running take-offs in Vietnam. Love the open-plan design which allows inspection of nearly every major component.👍🏻

[@ErikJohnston]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@antebellum45]

@@ErikJohnston sure did! There's alot to be said for flying a machine that's not completely controlled by computers and fly-by-wire inputs.

[@javacup912]

When I was a teenager in the 70's, in a nearby neighborhood, the was a large house, and in front onf the house, the was a helipad, and there it sat a Bell 47. Not sure what happened to it after I grew up and beacame an Army Aviator, but never flew the Bell 47. I can't imagine the greenhouse effect as in the OH-6, the sun beat you up pretty good, even through the upper smoked pexiglass. Very nice bird, and well engineered. Thank for the video show. Well done.

[@kevkev5935]

This was awesome..Great explanation of the guts of this helicopter. Some designs may be old but they just work.

[@edjarrett3164]

What a great video. I’ve been associated with helo pilots but am amazed at how clear and simple Mike explains the Bell and how it flies. Literally a mini ground school in 30 minutes. Really impressive presentation!👍👍

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

That walk around was by far the best so far of one of the stars of a show I grew up watching, M.A.S.H. Both of you are appreciated very much and is what You Tube was made for.

[@dbspecials1200]

I noticed right away how it sounded just like the ones on M.A.S.H.. in the credits you don't hear it but they did run some of them during certain scenes in episodes. there is also a video out that shows pics of where they filmed the opening credit scene with the choppers flying in over the hillside. it was in the Hills in CA somewhere..it still looks the same. cool to see..

[@salcanas22]

This guy is very good explaining how to perform the helicopter God bless him

[@jackflash6377]

in the late 80's - early 90's I worked at a Porsche shop in Dallas. Just around the corner from us there was a guy who flew a Bell 47 to work. I would often go outside to watch him come in and disappear behind the trees. On test drives I would drive by and see the heli parked between two buildings. Very cool way to get to work.

[@subsoar5734]

“leave me alone! i’m bein famous! i’m a star!” this dude was awesome.

[@dougharlow6037]

Around 1957-1960 the TV guys from the Whirlybirds show came to Riverside Ca. at a grocery store, (I believe the name of the store was Sage's) and had a drawing. If your name was pick you got to fly with them. My mother put my name and my sisters name in. She was picked but was scared so my mother ask if I could take her place and they agreed. They had a similar or the same helicopter as your showing. I loved that show, never missed a episode. I was only 10 years old. I'll never forget that experience. It was very exciting. I'm 75 now. Thanks

[@markphilpot8734]

I was lucky enough growing up to have had a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter operating across the street from our house. These 47s are my first exposure to heli’s. I had Whirlybirds on the TV and a real helicopter across the street. It is a cherished memory! This walk around was a real detailed explanation. Enjoyed it and learned a lot. Good job sir!

[@doncollins786]

I am retired from Bell Helicopter and have worked on everything from this 47, to the V-22 Osprey Flight Test Program. This was an excellent video walk-through and explanation for non-rotorcraft folks.. Great job!

[@m118lr]

..yes, FOR ;”non-fliers” he did a great job..

[@cptairwolf]

One of the most comprehensive walkarounds I've ever seen, thank you for sharing!!

[@jock-of-ages73]

What a beautiful bird! The plexiglass alone is a work of art, imo. That sound of it in flight is so recognisable.

[@ecleveland1]

The Bell 47 is my all time favorite helicopter. We used one dropping napalm doing controlled burns on clear-cuts getting them prepped for replanting. I usually went up with the pilot if I was the fire boss that day to go over the layout and burn plan. That pre-burn flight was always one of the best parts of the job.

[@robbyowen9107]

Another great walk around, thank you! Loved all the details about the 47!

[@shamusa943]

Beautifully explained. Lovingly maintained. Thank you.

[@noelmcgarry456]

Best explanation of operation and mechanics of a helicopter I've ever heard thank very much

[@shanelodge391]

A lot cleaner than the 3B1’s I mustered cattle in back in the ‘80s in Australia. Fantastic presentation.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Back in the 1950s, when all we had in the UK was one monochrome TV channel, there were many imported US programmes. One I liked was 'Whirlybirds' about a couple of guys in their Bell 'eggbeater'.

[@Dixler683]

“Form follows function” and it is so beautiful.

[@tyroneclarke1666]

Thank you so much for sharing. Really enjoyed the walk around with you sir. Cheers from Perth WA 👍🦘🇦🇺

[@jayflow7949]

that One Piece Curved Glass/Window is Absolutely Amazing!!!

[@raymondj8768]

That was the best ever exsplanation of how a chopper works i ever heard in my life ! hes a badass !!!!!

[@aroundontonagonwitholdeswi6377]

Excellent overview of an awesome classic helicopter. Thank you!

[@martinmaloney6048]

Unbelievably good vid , Mike you are a star in my book . Thanks

[@bradmcewen]

For a person of novice this is a fantastic education. Expert explanation and a very, very clean bird. 👍

[@Aero360Aviation]

This is a man who knows what he is talking about. Great video!

[@roadlaw]

Great video, thanks. I learned to fly on the Bell 47. Just as I was getting the hang of it, about 100 hours, they took it away from me and put me on to bigger turbine engine stuff, but hey what a lovely old aircraft. When Mike talks about ignoring the fuel gauge he’s right, visual check on the levels and time your endurance…. about 2hr50mins full to empty! With a bit of experience you would also not need to use the engine and rotor dual tachometer gauge much also - keeping revs right was all done by ear!!

[@richardparrott7192]

Fantastic walk-around!

[@BlueDinnie]

WOW that is amazing I had no idea how complex yet simple a helicopter was great video!

[@stkbkr1]

That helicopter pilot is amazing, what a great dude!!!

[@chrisball6900]

Fantastic insight to this Bell 47. Thanks Mike.

[@jumpinjack1]

Excellent vid and explanation, took a ride in one of these back in the 70's as a kid and at the time it was pure magic.

[@electrolytics]

Yes I did enjoy this. Thank you. Very well presented. Hats off to you.

[@mastergecko1178]

The visibility from that cockpit must be amazing, reminds me of that spacecraft in Oblivion

[@JC-gw3yo]

I love watching these choppers on the Mannix TV show. He was always buzzing around in one. The Bell looked so simple, but is obviously a complex machine

[@andrewbello983]

This machine was so much fun to fly I had to come back and get a refresher course from Erik. I remember the first thing I was told about our Bell-47 was...when you walk up to begin your pre flight and you dont see it dripping oil, dont fly it cause it aint got any in it...LOL! True story. It auto rotated much like the 206 I fly these days...Great machine!

[@skysurferuk]

A great interview with a really good guy. Thanks!

[@andrewbello983]

Ive got about 50hrs in the Bell-47. A good point he makes is adjusting throttle as you pull more collective because there is no correlator that adds RPM for you in this machine. Its truly real flying at its best!

[@austinformedude]

Love talking to guys like this. Just walking encyclopedias :)

[@flyerh]

I did my commercial check ride on a 47 G2 with wooden blades in Canada and flew tours over Niagara Falls. I also flew them with fixed floats landing on water. I live in the UK so unfortunately will never get the opportunity to fly one again.Full Autos onto a lake with the floats was great fun.

[@alanmeuler7956]

Thanks for the goaround

[@matttatts]

Excellent tour thank you!!

[@alberguti3937]

Super great walkaround!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[@signrossi1]

Verrry interisting! Thank you.

[@scavuman]

Captivating Presentation, Truly Enjoyed Watching !

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Long live M*A*S*H*❤️I want one of these someday.Out of all the choppers out there this is my dream chopper.What a wonderful presentation.Nicely done.

[@D0csavage1]

A 1966 model? Same as me 😁 she has managed to keep her youthful looks. I'm impressed.

[@irieman442]

Another great walk around with a seasoned pilot. Wood rotors? who knew they work better than metal. Thanks so much for doing these

[@m118lr]

I know right? I MUST have missed that the 1st time I watched this vid. Amazing really..that “WOOD”:rotor BLADES would LAST that long, virtually worry-free because of zero ‘stress fractures’.

[@janwitts2688]

What a lovely experience. . Thanks

[@rogerturner5504]

That was brilliant! These videos must be amongst of the most informative available on KZbin. Only one surprise - the tail rotor shaft UJ was not a constant velocity (Rzeppa-type) joint. Hey, the design is over 70 years so what do I know!

[@mobilemarshall]

beautiful classic utilitarian machine, thanks for the video

[@steveturner3999]

Beautiful Bell 47! Great narrative! First flight ever was in a Bell 47G. 1976.

[@Cubic5]

I had a flight at Oshkosh in one of these in 2005. I got up early, and ended up being the only passenger for that flight. I stilll have the pictures somewhere.

[@grahamauld8894]

Very engaging video.

[@murdoch9106]

Best walk around of a Bell 47 I've seen, amazing work! Mike sure knows his helicopter! I spend my days flying a G2A1 model in the simulator at home, love these things, so simple! One thing I dont think was mentioned is the lack of a governor on these, those that know helicopters probably picked that up anyway or already know, but its pretty important detail, meaning you have to manage your power all the time unlike in most helicopters after these, the governor tries to keep the engine power at a level sufficient for the workload you are putting in to the system. Some later helicopters do not even have a throttle at all, computers manage it instead. I love it in the sim, sadly never been in a real helicopter. Imagine in 1949, I think it was a French pilot, who took one of these to 18550 feet. Not sure what model that would been, but I imagine it would probably had a bit less power than this one. I tried to do it in the sim, and I got to 15300 ft, and it took me 75 minutes to get up and down and I had to fly over the alps and some cold weather to even get close, if its warm weather it would not do it ofc. And thats how it would be in a real one as well. I love that simulators these days have gotten good enough that you can sport individual characteristics of different aircraft very quickly, same for many racing and driivng simulators. Getting down was sketchy, as you can very easily over speed. When climbing you are almost working as if its a glider, in the sense that you hunt for some updrafts or something to help you get up higher, we dont have thermals yet in the sim, its coming end of the year, but yeah, it was very difficult. Done it twice now. I will try to hit 18550 ft!

[@terrymichitsch6069]

Thank you. I appreciate the tour both inside and out of your Bell 47G. I’m not a pilot but have loved this helicopter since the days of “Whirlybirds.” It will always be my favorite. Your presentation was very informative. I have much more knowledge of this aircraft. I will watch the video several more times.

[@williambailey5405]

As he said, Bell didn't add anything to make it look pretty... but functionality has a beuty of its own. I trained in the "T" model in the Army in the mid 1960s.

[@av8tor261]

This is one of the best walk a rounds.

[@exs219]

My grandfather work for Bell so this hits home, do yourself a favor and visit their museum. Very interesting.

[@Scotts_Status]

Fantastic explanation! Thank you!

[@CatarineausArmory]

Very detailed and concise walk around thanks Michael.

[@kylegoldston]

Awesome tutorial, this guy has me thinking I could figure out how to fly that thing. He is a superstar.

[@ianmangham4570]

Such a classic bird, total work of art.

[@mrbojangles311]

I flew in either that aircraft or a similar one at EAA Oshkosh in 1996, it was a great experience!

[@averagejo16]

Thank you for the walk around tutorial sir. It was interesting.

[@paulloveless9180]

Wonderful presentation. I learned a lot!

[@obbionekanovi]

Wow real nice video and explanation and comments from Mike Brown was excellent, very well and clear explanation, Thanks Mike! BZ!! 💯

[@MikeMMartinIII]

Awesome job on the 47' great video too.👍👍

[@johnwood551]

I learned to fly helos in a Bell 47 back 40 years ago ,even though though they are underpowered compared to today’s helos, I love them. You can’t beat them for the visibility .. That big bubble give unrestricted sight. At first it’s tricky flying level as you don’t have that instrument panel in front of you to give you reference like in airplanes. Just too much fun .

[@FrontNationaal]

Loving it. I have around 400 hours in the G5. Beautiful Helicopter.

[@matthewpellegrini2740]

The engineering beauty of this machine is astounding

[@gevi9080]

Wow! Amazing well explained walk around

[@flashm1555]

It's nice to listen to your explanations. It's obvious that you are an expert in your field. 👍

[@staytogether27]

That was a great video, with a lot of details but very easy to understand, He did a really good job explaining every detail in this 30 min video, I have learned a lot.

[@aircampilot8025]

awesome walkaround

[@marculix]

Thanks for sharing, best explanation ever.

[@p.d8423]

I got my pilot license on the D & G model back in the 80's. Beautiful memories.

[@maartentoors]

I flew on one of the Bell 47's during Oshkosh 2001. It was awesome (I was 18yrs at the time). 17:20 was explained to me then too, ergo 'Airwolf' (tv-series in which a Bell-222 goes above Mach-Speed) is impossible. I love your channel.

[@maartentoors]

Also; Ralph is famous in the Netherlands now :)

[@balmoraltowers]

Excellent presentation 😊

[@peanutbutter2597]

Now one heck of a plexiglass window !

[@TheMilwaukieDan]

As a young boy in the 50s I remember hearing and seeing these with ‘wonderment’. Then in 1966 I ended up at Ft. Rucker and I saw a CH 21 twin rotor banana. That was astounding as o had no idea such large helicopters were made..z ended up as a flight engineer on CH47 A,B models in Nam.

[@Slarti]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@RadioChief52]

I had no idea that the tail rotor was pitched and controlled much the same way as the main rotor. (Obviously I am not an aviator.) What a great walkaround this was. Great detail and great explanations. Thank you.

[@gryhze]

I was a fan of the TV program "Whirlybirds" back in the early '60's. This video is perhaps the clearest and most concise explanation of the flight systems of the "Whirlybird". I'd like to see a video of how that plexiglass bubble is made and the cost of a replacement.

[@rogerturner5504]

Me too!

[@apolloniaaskew9487]

A lot of films about Desilu Studios ( the production company of Whirlybirds) always had a Bell 47 in it with either Desi Arnaz or Lucille Ball in one with the pilot.

[@mhughes1160]

Great video. Thanks

[@jamesdunlop8704]

Great machine so interesting. I have always liked these helicopters

[@JuanOrtiz-wj4rc]

Great video thank you Mr Johnson

[@ErikJohnston]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

Always wanted one of these, ever since I was a tiny kid. Was trained in design by the mechanical engineers who designed the westland lynx.

[@timanderson5543]

Took a ride in one in key west with a fellow helicopter crewman,flys very smooth.

[@SVSky]

Wife got a ride in one at Oshkosh, super cool

[@jamesbronson8713]

Excellent video. Everything is so well explained.