Bell 47 Helicopter
The Bell 47 is the iconic post-war piston helicopter — first certified in 1946, recognizable by its bubble canopy and exposed tail boom, and made famous by the M*A*S*H TV series. Variants run through the 47G-2, 47G-3B, 47G-4, 47G-5 and 47D, all powered by Lycoming or Franklin piston engines. The Bell 47 is the most affordable way into helicopter ownership and the classic vintage rotorcraft on the used market — though piston-engine maintenance, aging components and limited parts availability are key cost factors.
12 used Bell 47 helicopters for sale · 3-seat · Used median asking $175,000 · updated 12 hours ago
Bell 47 Specifications
Model specThe Bell 47 is a 3-seat piston helicopters with a cruise speed of 78 kt (144 km/h), a range of 186 nm (344 km), and a useful load of 800 lbs (363 kg).
Bell 47 for Sale
Browse all listings →Bell 47 asking prices range from $160,000 to $265,000, with a median of $175,000 (market reference $160,000).
Compare Bell 47
See how the Bell 47 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Bell 47 Price & Cost
How much does a Bell 47 cost? Used 47 prices: $160K – $265K, average $175K (median $175K); market reference $160K, across 5 priced of 12 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Bell 47
Buying a Bell 47 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Bell 47
Is the Bell 47 practical for modern training?
How does the Bell 47 compare with a Robinson R22?
What should buyers check on a Bell 47?
Bell 47 Inventory by Country
| United States | 6 |
| Canada | 1 |
| France | 1 |
Bell 47 Inventory by State
| Texas | 3 |
Bell 47 by Price
| Under $100k | 3 |
| Under $200k | 6 |
| Under $300k | 8 |
| Under $500k | 8 |
Bell 47 Safety Record
Across all 47 variants, 744 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
744
Total Events
391
Incidents
96
Serious
84
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | Floral City, FL | Incident | — |
| Jul 31, 2025 | Assumption, MN | Incident | A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from attitude-inducing unporting of the fuel. |
| Feb 23, 2024 | Garey, CA | Minor | Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly check the torque paint on a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in the l… |
| Aug 12, 2023 | Mifflinville, PA | Fatal (1) | The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines during an aerial application flight. |
| Jul 04, 2023 | Sainte-Marthe, | Fatal (1) | — |
NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Bell 47 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.