Steve Ferguson (American, B. 1946) "1946 Bell Model 47" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the Bell Model 47 from the 100 Year of Powered Flight Collection. The first Bell Model 47 flew on December 8, 1945, becoming the cornerstone of a Bell helicopter dynasty. The Model 47 was adopted by the armed services, serving the U.S. Air Force as the YR-13 and the U. S. Navy as the HTL-1, while the Army acquired them as H-13Bs. There followed a long series of military and civil developments that saw the Bell Model 47 become a tremendous commercial success. The design was continuously improved, and by 1965, more than 3,000 of the Model 47 had been built. The basic design was so sound that it was possible to retrofit them with turbine engines. The Model 47 established Bell as a leading producer, and enabled the company to bring out strong follow-on designs that included the Model 204. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B17168)