“Larry” the Bell 47 🚁✨

Darren “Daz” Barnfield’s 1971 Classic Helicopter If you’ve ever watched Skippy, you’ll recognise it instantly. That unmistakable bubble canopy. The exposed framework. The iconic silhouette. Darren “Daz” Barnfield’s 1971 Bell 47 G5A — affectionately known as Larry — is the last production model of one of the most famous helicopters ever built. Over 30 years of production, more than 5,600 Bell 47s were manufactured — and over 1,000 are still flying today. “At one stage,” Daz explains, “there were more flying than were actually produced at the factory — because so many parts were available, people were building them from components.” Designed by Engineers, Not Accountants “It’s a first-generation helicopter,” Daz says. “I always tell people it was designed by engineers, not accountants.” And it shows. The Bell 47 was the first certified helicopter in the world. It was the first helicopter to land on the White House lawn. It served in every branch of the US military. NASA used it. And it became iconic during the Korean War as a frontline casualty evacuation aircraft. Earlier versions carried wounded soldiers on stretchers mounted externally. Overloaded and underpowered, they would lift just clear of the ground, gain speed, and head back to Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals — saving countless lives. Meet “Larry” Built in Texas in 1971, this G5A model was the final development of the type — slightly wider, more powerful, and refined. Larry runs a 260-horsepower Lycoming VO-435 six-cylinder engine, driving a gearbox mounted directly on top of the engine. With around a 9:1 reduction ratio, 3,000 engine RPM translates to about 300 rotor RPM. It’s not built for speed — VNE is 91 knots — but it cruises comfortably between 65 and 75 knots for local flying. “It’s more about comfort than speed,” Daz says. And that bubble canopy? “Unparalleled visibility.” Built to Last This particular machine has around 9,500 total hours and has lived a full life in Australia — used for primary training, agricultural work, mustering, private operations, and even joy flights in New Zealand. Daz has been Larry’s custodian for nearly 11 years, rebuilding the engine, gearbox, and primary flight controls along the way. Unlike many modern helicopters, much of the aircraft is maintained “on condition,” making it one of the most practical classic helicopters for private ownership. “It’s proven technology. Here we are 54 years later.” See It Fly 🚁✨ Larry will be performing a handling display at the Tyabb Airshow Tomorrow. A true aviation icon. A piece of Korean War history. And one very cool helicopter.