Bell Model 412

History of Bell Model 412

In 1968, Bell Helicopter introduced the Bell 212 as a twin-engine variant of its 204/205 model series. The new model brought significant commercial success to the company.

In 1981, the line was further developed to produce the Bell 412, which retained the twin-engine configuration but added support for a four-blade main rotor. The type is widely used by civilians and militaries around the world, and more than 870 have been produced since then.

The Canadian CH-146 Griffon (described in detail elsewhere on this page) is a branch of Bell's 412 line.

In the mid-1970s, Bell Helicopter recognized that the market needed to modernize its important Model 212. This prompted the company to rethink the Type 212 and examine every aspect of its design to improve its performance - namely range and straight-line speed. It was decided to combine the new four-blade main rotor with the existing twin-engine design. The rotors are of composite construction and have a smaller diameter, both of which improve the functionality of the rotor blades compared to earlier two-blade main rotor units. With this major change, the Type 412 prototype flew for the first time in August 1979.

It was subsequently launched on the market in 1981 and production continues from 1979 to the present (2017). In 1989, the production line moved to Canada to continue production.

The original model, known simply as the Bell 412, was powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3B turboshaft engines to drive the rotor blades. Instead, the Bell 212SP features a "special performance" variant powered by a PT6T-3BF engine.

A more powerful variant is the Bell 412HP with a PT6T-3BG or PT6T-3D engine.

Bell 412 EP is an improved performance form, powered by 2 x PT6T-3DF engines, has a top speed of 160 mph, cruises around 140 mph, range of up to 610 miles, 20,000 service cap Provide ft. The climb rate is 1,350 feet per minute.

Bell 412EPI introduced an all-glass cockpit and electronically controlled engine (PT6T-9 series). The Bell 412CF became the basis for the aforementioned Canadian CH-146, which was based on the Bell 412EP model. Its flight training form was HT1, and the search and rescue platform (SAR) became HAR2.

In Italy, Agusta took over the licensed production of the Bell 412 for the civilian market under the name Agusta-Bell AB412. The EP model is AB412EP. The military transport derivative became the AB412 "Grifone" and the special variant with ground penetrating radar was the AB412 CRESO. Indonesian Aerospace Corporation (IAe) produces the Type 412 as the N Bell 412.

A little-known, unlicensed Iranian-made version of the 412 is the Panha 412EP, which debuted in 2016.

The Bell Model 412 has proven to be a popular bracket worldwide, beloved by operators from Algeria and Argentina to Venezuela and Zimbabwe. In addition to its stated military and civilian market value, this helicopter has proven to be an equally successful government-level VIP/personnel transport in many countries.

Some police and fire departments use this type - such is its versatility.

Specifications for Bell Model 412

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes