New construction of a legend!

Mentioned in a Flight article about the Heli- Expo in Las Vegas is the news that the Bell 47 is to be constructed by a firm titled Scotts- Bell 47 Inc. based in Le Suer, Minnesota USA. According to Don Maguire, director at the company the new variant will be powered by a Rolls- Royce RR300 turboshaft engine and will be called the 47GT-6. The new engine will provide power comparable to the Avco Lycoming TVO-435 280 hp (209kW) which powered the G- model of the Bell 47, but should be lighter and more reliable. The new version will be based on the design of the Bell 47G-3B-2A and will be modified under a supplemental type certificate (STC) to incorporate the new R-R turboshaft. A new instrument panel will be fitted under the same STC. It will receive new composite main rotor blades, LED exterior lighting and an updated interior. Deliveries will commence in 2016 and the list price for the new helicopter will be around $850,000.:)