Previously registered OO-SHW and SE-HBE. Seen here at Groningen-Eelde on delivery to the UK where it was registered G-AZYB on 4 July 1972. Damaged beyond repair on 21 April 1984 following an emergency landing near Thruxton, repaired for static display and is now preserved at the Helicopter Museum as OO-SHW. Photographer unknown

Participant in the 1974 Air Tattoo. According to the display board, the only one in Europe. Severely damaged due to engine failure at 1,000 feet whilst en-route between Fairoaks and Thruxton. The loss of engine power made it necessary to initiate an immediate autorotative forced landing at St. Mary Bourne, five miles north-east of Andover, Hampshire. (Courtesy of ASN). Preserved at the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare as OO-SHW, its original identity. Current 2023.

Ex LN-OQG, SE-HBE, OO-SHW. Damaged beyond repair on 21 April 1984 following an emergency landing near Thruxton due to engine failure. It was repaired for static display and is now preserved at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare painted as OO-SHW.

C/n 1538 ex LN-OQG, SE-HBE, OO-SHW. Damaged beyond repair on 21 April 1984 near Thruxton following an emergency landing due to engine failure. It was repaired for static display and is now preserved at The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare painted as OO-SHW.

Year built:- 1957. Scanned from slide film.

Built in 1957, the Bellairus was a luxury version of the Bell 47 with an interior of a similar standard to a high quality car of the period. This example was operated by Sabena in support of Belgian Antarctic surveys between 1957 and 1961. It was operated by Ostermans Aero AB as SE-HBE from 1963-70 and by a private owner as LN-OQG from 1970-72. It became G-AZYB in 1972 and was cancelled as destroyed in 1985 but has been rebuilt for display purposes.

An attractive, less common and not very successful luxury model of the Bell 47 at the Air Tattoo. Now at the Weston Helicopter Museum