BELL 46G ‘WHIRLYBIRD’

From the 1950s TV Show ‘WHIRLYBIRDS’ created by Art & Jo Napoleon

This Black & White TV show (1957 - 1960) followed the adventures 'Chuck' and 'PT' (played by Kenneth Tobey and Craig Hill) and their helicopter service. The fast paced stories involved all manner of assignments, all suitable for plenty of aerial helicopter action. Searching for lost lost children, tracking down a motorcycle gang and ferrying sickly people to hospital was ll in a day;s work for Chuck and PT and thei Bell Helicopters!

Two helicopters were featured; a Bell 47J Ranger and most frequently a Bell 46G. (the same as the ones featured in the opening titles of M*A*S*H). I recall seeing this show in the 1970s as part of the morning TV programming put on in the school Holidays, usually coming on before 'Why Don't You....' or an ''Elvis Presley film'!

This would have made a nice kit in 1/32nd, coming in at just under 1 foot in length. I can see it now if bright yellow plastic!

Designed by Arthur M Young (of Bell Aircraft Corporation).