The Whirlybirds Greatest Hits

 

Whirlybirds is a syndicated American drama/adventure television series, produced by Desilu Studios, aired from February 4, 1957, through January 18, 1960. Desilu Studios was intrigued by the Bell 47 and its manufacturer and began discussions with Bell Aircraft about how the entertainment potential of the Bell 47 might be further developed for a television audience. The result of this collaboration became The Whirlybirds, the show's original title. The program features the exploits of Chuck Martin (Kenneth Tobey) and Pete "P. T." Moore (Craig Hill), owners of a fictitious helicopter chartering company, Whirlybirds, Inc. Their secretary was played by Nancy Hale as Helen Carter. The series was filmed originally on California's former Santa Susanna Airport in Simi Valley. The airport was near the Iverson Movie Ranch, used to film countless westerns. The entire area has long since been developed.

Professional pilots actually flew the helicopters with a cut-a-way mockup cockpit to film the stars. The two helicopter types used on the series, both classic Bell models, a 47G and the modified 47J Ranger. The 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use in 1946 and delivered to Helicopter Air Transport. More than 5,600 Bell 47s until 1974.