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WHIRLYBIRDS TO APPEAR AT 2007 ORLANDO HELI-EXPO

B47HA has been notified by Bell Helicopter that The Whirlybirds, official B47HA spokesmen, will be assigned an area in the BHT static display area to autograph helicopter posters and mutually promote Bell's legacy.

Joey stated, "I am overwhelmed by Bell's confidence and support of our mission to promote the Bell 47. In doing so Bell, like others, have witness the power and attraction that is retained by those that were endeared to the Bell 47 through the exposure that was made via Desilu's television show - "The Whirlybirds." This will be our fifth consecutive appearance at the mega event. Our positive public relations relationship has been maintained through three BHT company presidents. I think I speak for many, when I say, - Bell remembers their roots. "

Co-star Danny Rodriguez adds, "Our best appearances are when they have their 47 or our model on display. People are attracted to it for a simple reason - LOYALTY to the machine's legacy. Joey and I find it humbling to watch competitors stop by asking for autographed posters to be reserved for them after the show is over. The Whirlybirds created family entertainment by promoting the qualities of the 47 and its role as an - Angel of mercy to many that dealt with it."

This appearance has some unique plans including the arrival of a new poster design and the possible appearance of a Bell 47 that was personally owned by Larry Bell.

If you attend BHT please stop by for a memorable visit and chat. As always, we ask our fans to share their appreciation to BHT execs.

WHIRLYBIRDS DIRECTOR DIES

Joey and Danny regret to inform fans that acclaimed Whirlybirds' Director Robert Altman passed away Nov 20, 2006 in Los Angeles from Cancer complications. He was 81.

Altman was the subject of a recent documentary made for B47HA by independent film maker Pat Grosswendt describing his role and the behind the scenes action on the set of the hit "The Whirlybirds." During the production, Altman laughed and stated how he met his wife on the set of the show. The film definitely brings out Altman's love for the show and staff. In a recent B47HA event, assistant director on the show, Bruce Bilson exclaimed, "Things changed when Bob showed up. We rehearsed more and the show got better." Altman's maverick style of directing was put to the test when he was on the set of the show and stood up against producers when they objected over the way a scene was shot. As usual, Altman was right and they were wrong.

Joey stated, "Many helicopter pilots like Danny and I owe a great debt of gratitude for sparking our interest in the Bell 47 through his direction. The show owes much of its success to Mr. Altman. Without him I think there would have been less action and therefore - less Bell 47. When I watch the old shows and think of how we do ours I will remember what he said in the documentary - "There's more than one way - to skin a cat."

WHIRLYBIRDS' JOEY RHODES APPEARS AT TUSCOLA, IL.

Whirlybirds' Joey  Rhodes made a guest appearance at the Tuscola Airport in Tuscola IL just off I-57 on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 6:00p.m.

The Whirlybirds consist of Joey Rhodes and Danny Rodriguez and promote the Bell 47 helicopter at dual and solo appearances from coast to coast. Joey lives near St. Louis and Danny lives in Los Angeles.

Joey was thanked by organizers for raising funds for the airport and acknowledged the mission of B47HA in addition to supporting the Bell 47 was to promote general aviation.

A TV presentation for fans was provided to view portions of their favorite Whirlybirds episodes. Whirlybirds Fan Club President Jan Marcott was in attendance, along with B47HA Maintenance Chief and Whirlybirds I/A Neal Toler, who arrived via his beautiful Long Ranger, to greet fans and help with the autograph table. Toler will be with Whirlybirds' co-star Danny Rodriguez in L.A. in a few weeks to start the annual on The Whirlybirds super G "Ole Red."

Rhodes arrived via a vintage Blue Bell 47 J2A Ranger owned by Dr. Phil Jones B47HA #180 and gave a brief speech on the Whirlybirds TV show and Bell 47 Helicopter Association. Fans received pics and autographs from Joey for 1 hr and the crowd enjoyed music from the local country band - Battle Creek. Both the J2A and Long Ranger conducted a runway flyby with Jones & Rhodes in the J2A Ranger and Toler and Marcott in the Long Ranger.

Special thanks to Phil's wife Sara, for helping at the autograph table.

Special note: Phil is pictured with his son Will, who loves Dad's helicopter.

WHIRLYBIRDS APPEAR AT DALLAS HELI-EXPO 2006

B47HA spokesmen, "The Whirlybirds" represented B47HA at the HAI Heli-Expo show held in Dallas, Feb 26-27-28, 2005.

This was the fourth straight appearance for BHT and the second appearance that The Whirlybirds made in conjunction with NASCAR's Rusty Wallace. The Whirlybirds demonstrated once again that they are a real crowd pleaser and allow BHT the opportunity to express their appreciation to their original customer base while introducing the 47 to the younger generation. This year the buzz at the show was - "Kids get to be a Whirlybird pilot at B47HA." Several lucky kids got to put the whirlybirds signature cap and jacket on and take the controls of the Bubble chopper to take Joey for a ride.

Most noticeable was the legion of helicopter owners of other models like Enstrom, Robbie, & Hiller that came by and wanted autographs from the Fab Duo on the new poster that was introduced at the show. All the fans agreed with the slogan Joey coined three years ago "The Harley Davidson of Helicopters - The Bell 47."

Joey Rhodes and Danny Rodriguez spent hours discussing the Bell 47 and with the aid of their faithful IA/AP/SIUC Bell School Instructor Neal Toler answered questions and greet pilots and mechanics.

Joey, Danny, & Neal would like to thank you for visiting them in the Bell static display next to the BHT Bell 47 G4A.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Joey Rhodes 618-226-3344

In the 1950’s an unique television adventure helicopter series called “The Whirlybirds” was produced by Desilu Productions and Viacom. The definitive 1957-1959 Bell 47 television series propelled the Bell 47's look and sound into the popular imagination of children and adults. Kenneth Tobey and Craig Hill starred as 47 pilots Chuck Martin and P.T. Moore. The actors would fly off into diverse adventures from their base at Whirlybirds Inc., in mythical Longwood Field, California. Excellent direction by the famous Robert Altman and Bruce Bilson along with tight scripting, and pioneering location camera work at the old San Bernadino Airport and Republic Studio's Iverson Ranch supported the flying skills of National Helicopter pilots Bob Gilbreath, Harry Hauss, and Ed Fuderich. Together these airmen showcased the ability and utility of the 47G (N975B, a G-2 s/n 1381) and 47J (N2838B, 1957, s/n 1424, still in U.S. service; backed up by N1538B) across 111 half-hour episodes. Some 39 episodes of the series were re-syndicated by CBS during 1958 under the name Copter Patrol.

Today after nearly fifty years, the real star of the show, The Bell 47 Helicopter, is enjoying an overdue rescue and revival through the re-enactment of the actors and their helicopters by “The Whirlybirds Tribute Team.”

The Los Angeles California based “Whirlybirds,” Joey Rhodes and Danny Rodriguez, not only carry off the nostalgia to the detail of their costume and looks, but also provide an authenticity because they are actual Bell 47 Pilots. When The Whirlybirds appear their fans enjoy a musical grand entrance via a vintage Bell 47, autographs, pictures opportunities, free gifts and prizes, and sometimes a ride for fans in a legendary Bell 47 with their heros. The Whirlybirds engage the audience with a special informative 20 minute program featuring their Hollywood concept video about the show and The Bell 47. Special community outreaches allow The Whirlybirds to visit schools and hospitals to share the impact that helicopters have on our lives.

Joey and Danny share many things in common. Both are leaders with The Bell 47 Helicopter Association Inc. Rhodes and Rodriguez both are airplane pilots, have served as law officers, and have operated the same helicopters as used in the show.

One fan’s testimony put it quite well, “The Whirlybirds provide a nostalgia fix that is long overdue for us older fans of the helicopter that saved so many lives – The Bell 47. Their message promotes The Bell 47 and its value to aviation.

The real beauty of The Whirlybirds from what I could see after they signed autographs and posed with adults and kids for three days at HAI HELI-EXPO in Dallas was our beloved Bell 47 being appreciated. I stood by with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as the 1950’s theme song played and a Bell 47 G4A provided an impressive backdrop to signify the support and unity of The Bell Helicopter Company and The Bell 47 Helicopter Association for the Bell 47.

Finally, in one of Ken Tobey’s last appearances, Mr. Tobey stated that he was just an actor and not a pilot to a fan. The fan, a helicopter flight instructor, beautifully share his/our thoughts, “Although the 1950’s Actors were not pilots, you were pilots in our minds - you inspired me to become a pilot”

This time The Whirlybirds come to the rescue to introduce The Bell 47 to a new generation!

HELI-EXPO ANAHEIM, CA. 2005 (502 MEMBERS)

HAI ABSOLUTE SUCCESS

GOOD NEWS!!!! ONCE AGAIN BELL HELICOPTER EXTENDED AN INVITATION FOR B47HA TO BE PART OF THE HAI HELI-EXPO HELD IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA FEB 6-7-8TH BELL FAMILY DISPLAY .  SPECIAL THANKS TO DON MAGUIRE, CAREY BOND, & PAT BUTLER OF BHT FOR HELPING MAKE THIS HAPPEN. PRESIDENT RHODES & VICE PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ ATTENDED AND WERE POSITIONED IN FRONT OF NASCAR'S RUSTY WALLACE'S NEW BELL 427. RHODES ANNOUNCED THAT DON MAGUIRE HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS OUR 2005 BELL 47 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE. BELL PRESIDENT MIKE "RED" REDENBAUGH  PAID A VISIT ON B47HA AND SAID TO JOEY AND DANNY  "YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB OF REPRESENTING OUR FAMILY AND WE THANK YOU." B47HA'S GOAL WAS TO REACH 500 MEMBERS AT THIS EVENT AND FORT LAUDERDALE'S GUILLERMO CARABAJAL OF CAVAIR WAS HONORED WITH MEMBERSHIP #500 . RHODES AND RODRIGUEZ SHARED LAW ENFORCEMENT STORIES WITH LOS ANGELES AIR DIVISION COMMANDERS .

AFTER CONFERRING WITH MANY MEMBERS IT WAS DECIDED TO CHANGE OUR DUES AND ROSTER. MANY MEMBERS ON THE WEST COAST AND AT BHT HAVE ASKED B47HA TO HOST ANOTHER WEST COAST B47HA FLY IN. RHODES ANNOUNCE THAT HE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE EVENT AND HE AND DANNY WILL BEGIN PLANNING.

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE JONES #195 FOR THE USE OF HIS N975B BELL 47 MODEL

DANNY CONCLUDED THAT IS WAS GREAT "HANGIN OUT" WITH EVERYBODY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL WEST COAST FLY IN

THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE 1957 BELL 47J N2838B CRASH

THE PRIVATE PILOT WITH AN AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND RATING WAS REPORTED TO BE ON HIS FIRST SELF-FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF HELICOPTER. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF, HE FLEW ABOUT 1/2 MILE & STARTED A TURN, THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO TREES AND WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL PROVIDING POWER AS THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED SMALL TREES DURING THE LANDING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS DATED 8/22/85. RAT NEST MATERIAL WAS FOUND IN THE AIR FILTER IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY TO ALMOST COMPLETELY BLOCK THE FLOW OF AIR. ALSO, THE PILOT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 1/2/86. AUTO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS & CARBURETOR.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause (s) of this accident as follows:

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM BY THE UNQUALIFIED PILOT.

BULLETIN: N2838B IS BEING RESTORED

"New Whirlybirds" Joey "Chuck" Rhodes is pleased to report that The original Bell 47J Helicopter used in the hit television series "The Whirlybirds" in nearing restoration.

Rhodes is working with the new owner on establishing a new relationship with the helicopter and will be making arrangements with the B47HA member/owner to unveil the new 38B to the fans.

The helicopter was used on many of the series 111 episodes and was the flagship for Bell Helicopter in 1957. After being sold to a Allen Construction Company a student pilot decided to take the ship for a spin and in doing so settled with power doing considerable damage to the ship.

For many years the ship has just sat, but thanks to a dedicated Bell 47 enthusiast and B47HA member 38B has just received a major overhaul. The new owner remarked, "The blades of course were the most expensive item."

Stay tuned for pics and more details. We are excited to hear of the dedication of this member to revive this major part of Bell 47 Americana.

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