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Lots to chew on...
As mentioned, owning and maintaining a fixed wing can be expensive at times. Helicopters are breathtakingly expensive. Cessna 152/172s can actually be pretty reasonable until something expensive gets you on the annual.
You'll never find parts for a KA26 - I agree, they are very cool.
Parts can be expensive and getting hard to find for Bell 47s. I don't think anyone is making (metal) main rotor blades for them currently. Wood blades are on condition. Scotts Bell took over the type certificate from Bell Helicopter and is supporting them. They've been trying to get composite blades made (which would be fantastic!) but funding has been an issue.
If you go B47 see if you can find one with wood or low time metal blades.
Robinsons are everywhere for a reason, they're reliable (like Toyota reliable) and parts are available all over the world. Overhaul on them is 2200 hours and very expensive, however.
I used to fly with a guy who had an R44 and it seemed like all he ever did was add gas and oil. The thing never broke.
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Kurt
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