The Bell 47 was the first helicopter to be certified for civil use in May 1947. Approximately 5,000 were produced through 1976 including those built under license in Italy, Japan, and the UK. Early models had open cockpits or sheet metal cabins, but the most common model 47G can be recognized by the full bubble canopy, exposed welded-tube tail boom, and saddle fuel tanks. Later models H and J and had a regular cabin with full cowling and a tail boom of monocoque construction. Engines were Franklin or Lycoming horizontally-opposed piston engines of 178 to 270 HP (240 to 361 kW). Seating varied from 2 to 4.

Many are still in use as trainers and in agriculture (as of 2005).