It was an executive variant of the highly successful Bell 47 and was the first helicopter to carry a United States president.

A single bench seat at the rear of the cabin spanned its entire width and allowed for a passenger capacity limited by weight to typically 3 or 4 adults.

In March 1957 two Bell 47Js were bought by the United States Air Force as presidential transport and designated H-13J.

[1] On 13 July 1957 a H-13J was the first helicopter used by a United States president when it carried Dwight D. Eisenhower from the White House.

[1] In March 1962 the two helicopters were moved from presidential duties but were used as VIP transports for the next five years until retired in July 1967.