• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
Directions (716) 297-1323
Niagara Aerospace Museum logo

Niagara Aerospace Museum

Preserving Western New York's Aviation and Aerospace History

  • Visit
  • Posts
  • Our Collection
    • P-39: Miss Lend Lease
    • Bell Helicopter Model 47, NC-3H
    • Cunningham-Hall GA-36
    • Curtiss Jenny
    • Curtiss Pusher Replica
    • Lunar Module Ascent Engine
  • Join & Give
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
    • Support the Museum
    • Share Your Stories
    • Donate Artifacts & Memorabilia
  • About
    • AeroMail
    • In the News and On the Web
    • Our People
    • Media Info
    • Host Your Event at the Museum
    • In Memoriam
  • Contact
  • Events
    • 2nd Annual Hangar Dance
  • Hall of Fame

Bell Helicopter Model 47, NC-3H

NC-3HThe prototype Bell Model 47, c/n 1 was awarded the world’s first commercial helicopter license, NC-1H, on March 6, 1946. The one pictured here is the fifth Model 47 built and was licensed as NC-3H. Production followed, both civil and military, with totals reaching 416 by the end of 1952. Production of the Model 47 ended in 1973.

Bell Model 47 serial number 5’s initial registration number was NX92842. It became NC-3H and was assigned to the new Bell Helicopter pilot training school. This is the only survivor of the original 11 Bell Model 47s. The helicopter was certified on May 10, 1946 and the first flight was on May 14, 1946. Larry Bell donated the helicopter to the Burgard Vocational High School Aviation Department in Buffalo, New York, to train students to work on helicopters in their aircraft mechanics license course on June 23,1947.

In 1995 and 1996, a team of retired Bell employees working in donated space at Prior Aviation volunteered over 2,000 hours of their time to fully restore this historic aircraft.

The restoration tem members were: Gerald Bainbridge, Jack Bainbridge, Clinton Brockway, Robert L. Brown, John Curran, Nelson Faso, Murray Greenspan, William Kahn (Crew Chief), Richard Clemann, Leonard Nisiak, Donald Ronald, and William Sinon.

This restoration project was supported with funding from the Bell Fund of the Buffalo Foundation. This helicopter is on loan from the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

What is an “N-number”?
“N-numbers” are the identification numbers required to be applied to licensed aircraft in the United States. Other countries have different letters for their identification numbers. NC-3H was registered at a time when there was another letter after the “N” that indicated the aircraft’s airworthiness category, such as “C” for standard, “R” for restricted, “X” for experimental, and later an “L” for limited. (Federal Aviation Administration, 2017) Since 1949, only N-numbers are used, such as N-1234

You can read more about the history of the FAA’s (and its predecessors’) identification numbering requirements here.

Citations for the information on this page.

Primary Sidebar

Niagara Aerospace Museum

Niagara Falls International Airport
9990 Porter Road
Niagara Falls, New York 14304
(716)297-1323

Hours

Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Monday-Friday/Holidays (more info)

Group tours by Appointment

Directions

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

View Calendar

Check out the museum!

https://youtu.be/JUSom1lSUhU

Spread the Word… Write a Review

Footer

Our Corporate Sponsors Make it Possible

Thank you to Niagara Aerospace Museum corporate sponsor Moog
Thank you to our corporate sponsor Calspan
Bell company logo
Thank you Niagara Aerospace Museum corporate sponsor Community Fund for Greater Buffalo

Keep in Touch

SIgn up to stay in touch with the museum. Rest assured that we will not share your information.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Hours & Admission

Sat & Sun 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Mon-Fri/Holidays

Adults: $10:00
Seniors: $5:00
Military: $5.00
Ages 5 to 20: $5.00
Under 5: Free
Members: Free
ADA Caregiver: Free
*Admission fee is waived for a caregiver assisting a patron with disabilities
Niagara Aerospace Museum logo
Niagara Aerospace Museum
9990 Porter Road
Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls NY 14304
716-297-1323
  • Home
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Shop
 

Loading Comments...
 

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok