Clone Bell 207 Sioux Scout at Army Aviation Museum

It is a full size, hand built, exact copy of the only one that Bell ever built,, as a test bed, for the AH 1 Cobra. It is sitting on construction skids so it can be rolled around work shop as it weighs 1600 pounds. Final, flying version of skids pictured herein. Will be a flying in another year
 

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It is a full size, hand built, exact copy of the only one that Bell ever built,, as a test bed, for the AH 1 Cobra. It is sitting on construction skids so it can be rolled around work shop as it weighs 1600 pounds. Final, flying version of skids pictured herein. Will be a flying in another year
 
Now they are building helicopters at the Army Aviation Museum!?!
 
They have the original. What would they need with a clone? Sure it's not a restoration?
 
William207 said:
It is a full size, hand built, exact copy of the only one that Bell ever built,, as a test bed, for the AH 1 Cobra. It is sitting on construction skids so it can be rolled around work shop as it weighs 1600 pounds. Final, flying version of skids pictured herein. Will be a flying in another year
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I’m sorry, here is the story. 2017 I built a bell 47 up as an Army H13 E and armed it with 2 Browning M-37 guns as I had seen hanging in the ceiling of the army museum and in a magazine. Won several awards at Oshkosh and Sun n Fun airshows in USA, still have it.

The next experiment in using helicopters as offensive weapons was Bell 207. They made one and flew it for a year all over the country and developed much of the Cobra design from the 207. Bell gave that 207 to the Army museum which they displayed for years then the museum put it in storage.

I wanted a 207 to go with my armed H13-E. Got DOD and museum to let me measure the 207 and photograph it in extreme detail in and out. Even got a bunch of construction photos, got some drawings and more photos from people on this website. Got a booklet from museum with all accounts of flying and problems encountered with 207. Even have weigh and balance and flight envelope graphs.

In seven years I have built a copy (Clone) of a 207. It’s registered with FAA as N 207 GS Will take another year to get to flight test stage. Then take it to airshow circuit. With the H-13E
 

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Mi-26 clone next? :)

The Army is never going to get a heavy lifter if you don't make it for them...
 
Fantastic! The 207 is a favorite of mine. I alway wonder why Bell did not pursue the design as a potential scout. Probably not enough power left in SEA with the extra weight. Very much looking forward to seeing your work at one of the airshows.

I really hope you will keep us apprised of your progress and where you will be showing the N207 GS when it is airworthy.
 
Now this is why I wish Gates and Buffett came here.

Had I their money--I'd give you a billion and walk away.
 
Sabrejet said:
Why clone?
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Keep the original as a *preserved*, protected historical museum piece, and use the replica one to display/demonstrate vehicle capabilities at airshows. I wish this model of thought was MUCH more widely followed around this planet of ours...
 
Can't wait to see it fly! Maybe don't wait five years to update us, though? Are you going to be at Oshkosh with the H13 this year?
 
Traditionally "replica" is the word used for such a project, but regardless of what it's called I like it a lot!
 
Very cool. I look forward to seeing this completed and flying. By the way, are you able to post any of the construction and detail photos, as well as the drawings you've collected?
 

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