After several years of development, Bell displayed the mockup of its D-255 "Iroquois Warrior" to Army officials in June 1962, hoping to solicit funding for further development.[1] The D-255 was planned to be a purpose-built attack helicopter based on the UH-1B airframe and dynamic components with a new, slender airframe and a two-seat, tandem cockpit, featuring a grenade launcher in a ball turret on the nose, a 20 mm belly-mounted gun pod, and stub wings for mounting rockets or SS.10anti-tank missiles.[2]
A proof-of-concept contract was awarded to Bell in December 1962 for the Model 207 Sioux Scout, which was, in essence, a new forward fuselage and Bell 47G-3 dynamic parts fitted to a Bell 47J center and rear fuselage.[3][4][5] The Sioux Scout included all the key features of a modern helicopter gunship – a tandem cockpit, stub wings for weapons, and a chin-mounted gun turret.[3] The tandem cockpit placed the gunner in the lower front seat with the pilot in the rear, with both crew positions featuring flight controls. The gunner's position featured a gunsight and turret controls located in the center, so the flying controls were moved to the side of the front cockpit.[2] The gunner controlled a chin-mounted gun turret with twin 7.62 mm (.308 in) M60 machine guns. The stub wings held external fuel tanks.[6]
Bell 207 prototype during flight testing
First flown on 27 June 1963, the Bell 207 demonstrated improved manoeuvrability over the Bell 47/OH-13, derived from the stub wings. A variety of different wings, cowlings and tail surfaces were tested on the 207 before it was turned over to the Army pilots at Fort Benning, Georgia for further testing at the end of 1963.[2][6][7] After evaluating the Sioux Scout in early 1964, the Army was impressed, but also felt the Sioux Scout was undersized, underpowered, and generally not suited for practical use.[3]
Later in 1964, the Army requested proposals for its Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS). Bell proposed the D-262, a smaller version of the D-255, making better use of the T53 engine from the UH-1. However, the Bell D-262 was not selected as a finalist in the competition, which was won by the abortive Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne.[4]
Specifications
Rear side view of the Sioux Scout showing the stub wing and engine cowling
^Goebel, Greg. Cobra Origins August 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Vectorsite.net, 1 December 2008.
^ abcVerier, Mike. Bell AH-1 Cobra, pp. 12–17. Osprey Publishing, 1990. ISBN0-85045-934-6.
^ abcDonald, David and Daniel March. "AH-1 Cobra". Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRtime Publishing Inc, 2004. ISBN1-880588-76-5.
^ abSpenser, Jay P. "Bell Helicopter". Whirlybirds, A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers, pp. 268–269. University of Washington Press, 1998. ISBN0-295-97699-3.
^Apostolo, Giorgio. "Bell 207 Sioux Scout". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters, p. 50. New York: Bonanza Books. 1984. ISBN978-0-517-43935-7.
^ abPelletier, Alain J. Bell Aircraft Since 1935. US Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN1-55750-056-8.
^First flight date is listed as late June 1963 in some sources (Pelletier: 27 June, Spenser: late June).
Verier, Mike. Bell AH-1 Cobra. Osprey Publishing, 1990. ISBN0-85045-934-6.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bell 207 Sioux Scout.
Bulban, Erwin J. Bell Demonstrates New Design for Tactical Helicopter, Aviation Week & Space Technology, September 23, 1963, v. 79, no. 13, pp. 30–32.
February 21, 2023
bell, sioux, scout, modified, bell, helicopter, developed, bell, helicopter, under, contract, from, united, states, army, proof, concept, demonstrator, bell, helicopter, gunship, design, featuring, tandem, cockpit, stub, wings, chin, mounted, turret, united, s. The Bell 207 Sioux Scout is a modified Bell 47 helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter under contract from the United States Army as a proof of concept demonstrator for the Bell D 255 helicopter gunship design featuring a tandem cockpit stub wings and a chin mounted gun turret Bell 207 Sioux ScoutBell 207 Sioux Scout in the United States Army Aviation MuseumRole Experimental attack helicopterNational origin United StatesManufacturer Bell HelicopterFirst flight 27 June 1963Number built 1Developed from Bell 47 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDesign and development Edit Bell 207 prototype N73927 in flight testing After several years of development Bell displayed the mockup of its D 255 Iroquois Warrior to Army officials in June 1962 hoping to solicit funding for further development 1 The D 255 was planned to be a purpose built attack helicopter based on the UH 1B airframe and dynamic components with a new slender airframe and a two seat tandem cockpit featuring a grenade launcher in a ball turret on the nose a 20 mm belly mounted gun pod and stub wings for mounting rockets or SS 10 anti tank missiles 2 A proof of concept contract was awarded to Bell in December 1962 for the Model 207 Sioux Scout which was in essence a new forward fuselage and Bell 47G 3 dynamic parts fitted to a Bell 47J center and rear fuselage 3 4 5 The Sioux Scout included all the key features of a modern helicopter gunship a tandem cockpit stub wings for weapons and a chin mounted gun turret 3 The tandem cockpit placed the gunner in the lower front seat with the pilot in the rear with both crew positions featuring flight controls The gunner s position featured a gunsight and turret controls located in the center so the flying controls were moved to the side of the front cockpit 2 The gunner controlled a chin mounted gun turret with twin 7 62 mm 308 in M60 machine guns The stub wings held external fuel tanks 6 Bell 207 prototype during flight testing First flown on 27 June 1963 the Bell 207 demonstrated improved manoeuvrability over the Bell 47 OH 13 derived from the stub wings A variety of different wings cowlings and tail surfaces were tested on the 207 before it was turned over to the Army pilots at Fort Benning Georgia for further testing at the end of 1963 2 6 7 After evaluating the Sioux Scout in early 1964 the Army was impressed but also felt the Sioux Scout was undersized underpowered and generally not suited for practical use 3 Later in 1964 the Army requested proposals for its Advanced Aerial Fire Support System AAFSS Bell proposed the D 262 a smaller version of the D 255 making better use of the T53 engine from the UH 1 However the Bell D 262 was not selected as a finalist in the competition which was won by the abortive Lockheed AH 56 Cheyenne 4 Specifications Edit Rear side view of the Sioux Scout showing the stub wing and engine cowling Data from citation needed General characteristicsCrew Two in tandem cockpits Powerplant 1 Lycoming TVO 435 A1A 6 cyl air cooled horizontally opposed piston engine 260 hp 190 kW Performance Armament Guns Two 7 62 mm 308 in machine guns in Emerson Electric TAT 101 chin turret Front cockpit gunner with open nose canopy and gun turret belowSee also EditRelated development Bell 47 Bell 47J Ranger Bell AH 1 CobraAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Atlas XH 1 Alpha Cicare CH 14 Aguilucho IAR 317 Airfox HESA Shahed 285Related lists List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences Edit Goebel Greg Cobra Origins Archived August 7 2007 at the Wayback Machine Vectorsite net 1 December 2008 a b c Verier Mike Bell AH 1 Cobra pp 12 17 Osprey Publishing 1990 ISBN 0 85045 934 6 a b c Donald David and Daniel March AH 1 Cobra Modern Battlefield Warplanes AIRtime Publishing Inc 2004 ISBN 1 880588 76 5 a b Spenser Jay P Bell Helicopter Whirlybirds A History of the U S Helicopter Pioneers pp 268 269 University of Washington Press 1998 ISBN 0 295 97699 3 Apostolo Giorgio Bell 207 Sioux Scout The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters p 50 New York Bonanza Books 1984 ISBN 978 0 517 43935 7 a b Pelletier Alain J Bell Aircraft Since 1935 US Naval Institute Press 1992 ISBN 1 55750 056 8 First flight date is listed as late June 1963 in some sources Pelletier 27 June Spenser late June Verier Mike Bell AH 1 Cobra Osprey Publishing 1990 ISBN 0 85045 934 6 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bell 207 Sioux Scout Bulban Erwin J Bell Demonstrates New Design for Tactical Helicopter Aviation Week amp Space Technology September 23 1963 v 79 no 13 pp 30 32 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bell 207 Sioux Scout amp oldid 1124382499, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
