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| Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first U.S. president to fly in a helicopter on July 12, 1957 using the H-13J. The Air Force purchased two modified H-13J's for evacuating the President to a remote command post in the event of a military confrontation with the Soviet Union. The H-13J also shuttled President Eisenhower to Washington's National Airport and his personal retreat in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Larger, more comfortable models soon replaced it in presidential transport duties.
Sold commercially as the Model 47, the H-13J was a direct evolution of Bell's first helicopter, the Model 30. On the "J" models, known as "Rangers," Bell increased the seating from two to four by streching the cabin and relocating the instrument panel to the left side of the pilot's seat. SPECIFICATIONS: Rotor Diamiter: 37 ft. 2 in. Length: 32 ft. 5 in. Height: 9 ft. 4 in. Weight Empty: 1,900 lb. Weight Gross: 2,850 lb. Top Speed: 105 mph Engine: Lycoming VO-435-A1B, 260 hp. de-rated to 220 hp. Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, 1957 |
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| Bibliography: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center |
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| US Military Tour | ||