The Bell 47 Helicopter Story: Birth of the Commercial & Military Helicopter Industry

摘要

The appearance of a stand-out aviation history book was commonplace in decades gone by. Progressing into the 21st Century, however, not many such books are making it beyond the concept stage. Even worse, knowledgeable and sympathetic "book people" are a dying breed. These days if I happen to mention about working on a new book, it's possible for someone to interject, "I guess he means an iBook, right?" Well ... not really, buddyboy. What I mean is an actual book made of actual paper, ink and glue, that's full of actual information that you will not find on the great seducer of feeble minds - the internet. But that's another story. Right now I want to talk to you about something real, not fanciful, definitely not a video game. I'd like to introduce you to the 2013 Grand Champion example of a fabulous new aviation book - The Bell 47 Helicopter Story. The creators are long-time CAHS arid AAHS members Robert S. Petite from Alberta and Jeffery C. Evans from California. Bob and Jeff have devoted decades to studying everything imaginable about the Bell 47, history's most famous light helicopter, a type that's been familiar on the Canadian scene for nearly 70 years. Our authors have their credits - they've been honoured by such groups as the American Helicopter Society International and by the Twirly Birds. Not surprisingly, they've rarely missed a Helicopter Association International annual convention.