Bell 47G-3B-1 “Sioux”

Multipurpose light helicopter

The Bell 47 is best known as the helicopter that featured in the M*A*S*H television series.  The type is significant for the Royal New Zealand Air Force as it was the services first rotary-wing aircraft.  It served primarily as a conversion trainer but was also used for light observation, liaison and medivac roles.

The Bell 47G-3B-1 operated by the RNZAF offered more comfort due to a wider cockpit, a greater payload and better performance than previous variants especially at high altitude.

The aircraft on display (NZ3702) is on long term loan from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.  ’02’ was delivered in 1965 and was assigned to No.3 Battlefield Support Squadron (No.3 Squadron) in 1966 .  It was retired from service in 2012 when the Bell 47 fleet was replaced with the Augusta Westland A109 LUH.

Photos supplied by Allister Jenks and Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435, 280 HP, Horizontally-opposed 6 cylinder piston engine, turbocharged.
Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Height: Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Cruise Speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 knots)
Maximum Speed: 105 mph (169 km/hr or 91 knots)
Range: 315 miles (507 km or 273 nm)
Armament: None

Yakevlov Yak-52

Primary Trainer

Country of Origin: Soviet Russia
Engine: Ivchenko Vedeneyev M-14P, 360hp 9-cylinder radial engine
Top Speed: 285 Km/h, 177 MPH, 154 Knots

 

AESL Airtourer

Light Utility Aircraft/Trainer

Country of Origin: New Zealand
Engine: Lycoming O-320. 160 hp piston engine
Top Speed:

 

@nz_warbirds

UPDATE FLY PAST CANCELLED - Sorry Folks 😔 Weather is not playing ball 😂 👋See you tomorrow at half time Auckland at @gomediastadium for @aucklandfc home match against the @newcastlejetsfc. A Harvard formation is planned to flyover at 5:55PM pending on weather and aircraft serviceability. ⚽️Match kick off is at 5:00PM. 📆Saturday 30th November 2025. ⏰5:55PM 📍Go Media Stadium (Mt Smart) The formation will be loitering near Whitford, Howick & Bucklands Beach areas before the run in so keep an eye out if you live in those areas. #keepemflying #aucklandfc
Theres 138 days till Warbirds on Parade and we have some good news. Tickets are now available through @iticketnz a great gift idea for Christmas🎄. Note iTicket is the only ticket distributor for Warbirds on Parade. Spread the word! #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviator #aviationlovers #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #visitauckland #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Clear skys at Ardmore this evening. Harvard 78 out on the apron after a successful fundraising event for the Totara Hospice. #keepemflying #northamericant6 #harvard #texan #t6 #newzealand #nzwarbirdsatardmore
ZK-TGN ‘rolling 21’ back in December 2020 during its first public display at Warbirds on Parade. 
This aircraft now resides at the Ashburton Aviation Museum but for a number of years resided at NZ Warbirds at Ardmore. It has been modified to have a 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R2000 rated at 1450 HP (not the 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone typical for the type). 📸 Stuart Russell #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlover #northamerican #trojan #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
An image taken yesterday of the Harvard flypast over Auckland City to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. 📸Rob New #DDay80 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #harvard #northamerican #harvard #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
We are super excited to share the ninth annual Tōtara Hospice Long Lunch Charity Gala event that is being hosted in The Warbirds Hangar 2. You will be indulged in a culinary journey showcasing flavours from Around the World. Your menu has been crafted with love and care by talented New Zealand chefs, including a stunning seafood dish from Executive Chef Nancye from Te Kaahu, a truly authentic taco from Chef Jean of Tacoteca and Michael Dearth from Baduzzi will be tantalising your tastebuds with dessert. Ganesh Raj is the MC, amongst other accolades he has been the recipient (for two years running) of Metro Magazine’s Restaurant Personality of the Year, as well as co-hosting the TV series Eat Well For Less and Cooks on Fire. They would love you to join them for a spectacular day of eating, drinking, dancing and philanthropy to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill patients and their whānau in our community. Sunday 23rd June 2024 11.30am till 5.00pm Warbirds Hangar Ardmore Airport Tickets are on sale now and include your coach transfers with Pavlovich Coachlines to and from the airport. We have several easy-to-reach collection points around Auckland in the CBD, Greenlane, Whitford (with a stop in Clevedon) and Manukau.
The calm before the show. Corsair 48 on the flight line of our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow on March 10th. It was a stunning sunrise 🌅 👍 📸 Brian Amerasinghe 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
The Roaring Forties returning from the recent Classic Flyers Aero Day 2024 with Ardmore Airport in the distance. 📸 Paul Johnston #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
CORSAIR FLYING TODAY! Corsair NZ5648 will be flying today (Sunday 14th) with takeoff at 1100am. Come down to NZ Warbirds at Ardmore and check it out. #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
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AIRSHOW! Warbirds on Parade - Sunday 16 March 2025. For all of the latest developments - including what's on show - click here.
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