H-13 Bayou Belle Bayou State Escadrille

The Bell 47 is a single rotor single engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter.

A pioneer of rotary-wing aviation, the Bell H-13 “Sioux” earned its place in history through both innovation and lifesaving service. Derived from the widely successful Bell 47, the aircraft was adopted by multiple branches of the U.S. military under various designations, a testament to its versatility and reliability. With its distinctive bubble canopy and exposed framework, the H-13 quickly became one of the most recognizable helicopters of its era. Its legacy dates to the Korean War, when modified H-13s carried external stretchers mounted on their skids, transforming the helicopter into one of the first dedicated air ambulances. Flying directly into combat zones, these aircraft evacuated wounded soldiers with unprecedented speed, dramatically increasing survival rates and forever changing battlefield medicine. This iconic role was later immortalized in the television series M*A*S*H, where the H-13 became a symbol of hope amid the chaos of war.