Help identifying possible Bell Model 47 HTL-3 YH-13A (1948) – NAVY HU-1 UP3 – Alaska

Hello.

I was hoping someone might help me identify this helicopter and in turn perhaps help me date the photo. From my research I believe this helicopter is possibly a Bell Model 47 (A,D or E) HTL-3 – YH-13A (1948). With that said, I am quite honestly clueless and know nothing about aviation. What is really throwing me off is the HU-1 marking.

Insignia/Markings: NAVY HU-1 UP3 (see photo)

This photo came in a lot of Navy photos from Alaska. The photos appear to all have been taken around the same time. A few of the hand written captions include: Gambell Village, King Island and Kodiak Island. One of the photos noted on the verso: “Polar Bear shot by Captain Swartz from helicopter with a 45”. I assume they are referring to the helicopter in the attached photo.

What I have found so far:

[INDENT]In 1947 the Navy borrowed 10 Bell Model 47As from the USAF for testing and evaluation, which were designated HTLs. Pleased with the results, they ordered the HTL-3 as an advanced version with a more powerful engine and an enclosed fuselage.

http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/military-aircrafts

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Could it be one of these (3) cold-weather YR-13A?

(3) YR-13 aircraft were winterized for cold-weather testing in Alaska and were redesignated YH-13A in 1948.

https://www.skytamer.com/Bell_HTL-6.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_H-13_Sioux

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On January 6, 1947 the first two YH-13A helicopters built for Army Air Force leave plant in C-82 for Alaska.

Bell Memorial Public Library, Mentone, Indiana – http://www.bell.lib.in.us/ – Bell Helicopter Highlights[/INDENT]

That’s all I know. Thank you for your assistance.

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I have identified this helicopter as Helicopter Utility Squadron (HU-1) Bell HTL “Sioux” (Bell model 47), H-13 helicopter that was one of the two helicopters aboard the USS Burton Island (AGB-1) during the Burton Island Arctic Expedition in the winter of 1951. At the time, the ship was under the command of U.S. Navy Commander John R. Schwartz of Hazelton, Pennsylvania. Captain Schwartz actually shot and killed a Polar Bear from a helicopter (likely the one seen in the photos) with a 45 because it was in his way when he was trying to land the helicopter (see new attached images).

Thank you for your time.

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