This early Bell laboratory view documents Bell Model 47 No. 3 airframe structural/drop-test laboratory photograph. The reverse handwritten note reads “Bell 47 #3 Airframe Static Structural Test 1945.” A visible placard in the photographed scene reads “STRUCTURAL DROP TEST OF MODEL 47 / FEB 13 1946.” The image therefore appears to show Bell 47 airframe No. 3, associated with the early static-structural program, photographed during or after a specifically dated drop-test setup in February 1946. The in-image placard is the strongest evidence for the exact photographed event.
This photograph records early Model 47 landing-load and structural qualification work. Drop testing was used to assess landing gear, airframe deformation and the ability of the structure to absorb impact loads. The bare tubular airframe, laboratory instrumentation and readable test placard capture the Model 47 before it became an icon of civilian, medical and military aviation. The early date—only weeks after the type’s first flight—makes this a particularly significant development image.
From the Jeffrey C. Evans Helicopter Archive Estate. Jeffrey C. Evans (1945–2025) was a respected helicopter historian, researcher, photographer, and archive collector whose work helped preserve important rotorcraft history. He was a longtime member of the Vertical Flight Society and Vertical Aviation International, and he co-authored The Bell 47 Helicopter Story. This piece was preserved within his California aviation archive, giving it meaningful collector provenance and a direct connection to decades of helicopter research.
Good overall condition with readable test placard and broad laboratory context. Light surface wear, faint marks, minor edge/corner wear and small tonal blemishes may be present. Reverse has handwritten notes. No major tear is visible. Please review all photos. Please review all photographs carefully for the exact surface, edges, reverse, and included details.
| Subject | Bell Model 47 No. 3 airframe structural/drop-test laboratory photograph |
| Date / Era | 1945–February 13, 1946 |
| Format | Black-and-white archive photograph / photographic image |
| Size | 8 x 10 inches |
| Identification | Confirmed Subject; Caption/Placard Date Discrepancy Explained |
| Provenance | Jeffrey C. Evans Helicopter Archive Estate |
| Custom SKU | PHO-FLD64-FWTK |
Free tracked shipping is included. Protected for transit and shipped with tracking for confident delivery.
Please inspect all images closely for condition, dimensions, captions, and the precise piece included.
Own a compelling laboratory record from the Bell 47's earliest development period.
A strong addition for Bell helicopter collectors, aviation historians, modelers, and technical-image archives.