Bell 412 (original) (raw)

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Utility transport helicopter family by Bell

Bell 412
Bell 412EP of the NSW Police Sydney
General information
Type	Multipurpose utility helicopter
National origin	United States/Canada
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter
Primary users	Japan Ground Self Defence Force See Operators for others
Number built	1,300+[1]
History
Manufactured	1979–present
Introduction date	1981; 43 years ago (1981)
First flight	August 1979; 45 years ago (1979-08)
Developed from	Bell 212
Variants	Bell CH-146 Griffon

The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is a twin-turbine helicopter that has been popular on the civilian and military markets, and major users include Canada, Italy, and Japan. Several hundred have been produced since its introduction in 1979, and several iterations of upgrades and variations have been produced, such as with upgraded cockpit electronics.

It has been manufactured under license in Italy as the Agusta-Bell AB412, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and in Japan by Subaru. The Canadian Bell 412 was produced in Canada, but it was already the location of the main Bell Textron factory.

Design and development

[edit]

Bell 412CF looking forward from the tail

Bell 412 on approach

Development began in the late 1970s, with two Bell 212s being converted into 412 prototypes. An advanced four-blade main rotor with a smaller diameter replaced the 212's two-blade rotor. A Bell 412 prototype first flew in August 1979. The initial model was certified in January 1981, with deliveries commencing in the same month.[2] The 412 model was followed by the 412SP (Special Performance) version, which featured a larger fuel capacity, a higher takeoff weight, and optional seating arrangements. In 1991, the 412HP (High Performance) variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production.[2]

A Chilean Air Force Bell 412

In the early 2000s, Bell offered the Bell 412EP as its Bell 412 LUH entrant in the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter program, where it competed against several other light helicopters for an order.[3]

The current production version, 412EP (Enhanced Performance), is equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system. In 2013, Bell introduced the 412EPI, which includes an electronic (digital) engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade and a glass cockpit display system similar to the Bell model 429. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, and the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance.[4]Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built.[5][_unreliable source?_]

The helicopter is powered by the Pratt and Whitney Canada twin-pack power plant with two turboshaft engines and has achieved the lowest in-flight shut-down rate of aircraft turboshaft engines. If one engine is shut down, a single engine can produce emergency power for 30 minutes. [6]

The aircraft has been produced in Montreal, Canada, in Italy under license by Agusta, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and also in Japan by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries).[7] The Bell 412 was also initially manufactured in Texas, USA.[8]

The emergency medical configuration can carry 6 patients/wounded and two attendants, or two stretchers and up to four attendants. [6]

By 2022, over 1300 Bell 412 helicopters had been delivered.[9]

Bell 412HP of Heli Austria

RAF Griffin HT1

Bell 412

Standard Model with P&WC PT6T-3B

Bell 412SP

Special Performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BF engines

Bell 412HP

High performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BG or -3D engines

Bell 412CF (CH-146 Griffon)

100 custom-built utility transport helicopters for the Canadian Forces, based on 412EP and designated by Bell as 412CF

Bell 412EP

Enhanced performance version with P&WC PT6T-3DF engines

Bell 412EPI

Glass cockpit version with P&WC PT6T-9 electronic controlled engines

Bell Griffin HT1

Advanced training helicopter based on the Bell 412EP, operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) between 1997 and 2018 as an advanced flying trainer. Operated by the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury and the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley.

Bell Griffin HAR2

Search and Rescue helicopter based on the Bell 412EP, operated by No. 84 Squadron RAF between 2003 and 2023 at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.[10]

Agusta-Bell AB 412

Civil utility transport version, built under license in Italy by Agusta.[11]

Agusta-Bell AB 412EP

Italian-built version of the Bell 412EP.[11]

Agusta-Bell AB 412 Grifone

Military utility transport version, built under licence in Italy by Agusta.[11]

UH-X prototype

Agusta-Bell AB 412 CRESO

Italian-built version, fitted with a ground surveillance radar.

Bell 412 LUH

Entry for the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program. Lost to the EC145 entry (see UH-72 Lakota)[12]

NBell 412

Indonesian Aerospace's (formerly IPTN) licensed product of Bell 412.[11]

Subaru-Bell UH-2 (formerly UH-X)[13]

Modified version of the Bell 412 EPI; 150 on order to meet the JGSDF's requirement for a UH-1J replacement.[14][15][16]

Subaru-Bell 412EPX

Commercial version of UH-X.[17]

The Bell 412 is used by private and commercial operators. It is particularly popular in the oil industries, military, and for law enforcement use.

Chilean Air Force Bell 412

Algeria

Algerian Air Force [18]

Argentina

Argentine Air Force [18]

Australia

Australian Army : 2 under lease at Army Aviation Training Center.[19]

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Air Force [18]

Bahrain

Bahraini Air Force [18]

Botswana

Botswana Defence Force [18]

Cameroon

Cameroon Air Force [18]

Canadian CH-146 Griffon

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (3e École de pilotage des Forces canadiennes)

Chile

Chilean Air Force [18]

Colombia

Colombian Navy [18]

Cyprus

Cypriot National Guard [20]

El Salvador

Air Force of El Salvador [18]

Eritrea

Eritrean Air Force [18]

Agusta-Bell AB-412 of the Italian Army

AB-412 cockpit

Ghana

Ghana Air Force [18]

Guatemala

Guatemalan Air Force [18]

Guyana

Guyana Defence Force [18]

Honduras

Honduran Air Force [18]

Indonesia

Indonesian Army [18]

Indonesian Navy [18]

Italy

Italian Army [18]

Iraq

412M on order.[21]

Jamaica

Jamaica Defence Force [18]

JGSDF UH-2 in November 2023 at Camp Akeno, Japan

Japan

Japan Ground Self Defence Force [18]

Lesotho

Lesotho Defence Force [18]

Mexican Air Force Bell 412EP, 2012

Mexico

Mexican Air Force [18]

Montenegro

Montenegrin Air Force [22]

Morocco

Moroccan Navy [18]

Nigeria

Nigerian Air Force [18]

Norway

Royal Norwegian Air Force [18]

Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force [18]

Pakistan Army [18]

A Slovenian Air Force Bell 412

Panama

National Aeronaval Service of Panama [18]

Peru

Peruvian Air Force [18]

Peruvian Navy [18]

Philippines

Philippine Air Force [18]

Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Air Force [18]

Slovenia

Slovenian Air Force [18]

Somalia

Somali Air Force [23]

Two Bell 412 of the Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea

South Korean Air Force [18]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Air Force [18]

Tanzania

Tanzania People's Defense Force [18]

A 412 of the Royal Thai Air Force

Thailand

Royal Thai Air Force [18]

Tunisia

Tunisian Air Force [18]

Turkey

Turkish Coast Guard [24]

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Air Force [18]

Uruguay

Uruguayan Navy [18]

Venezuela

Venezuelan Army [18]

Venezuelan Navy [18]

Zimbabwe

Air Force of Zimbabwe [18]

Government operators

[edit]

New South Wales Bell 412EP at Wagga Wagga with the Rural Fire Service

Australia

Department of Fire and Emergency Services [25][26]

Emergency Management Queensland [27]

New South Wales Police Force [28]

New South Wales Rural Fire Service [29]

Brazil

Federal Police [30]

Canada

Canadian Coast Guard [31][32]

National Research Council [33]

Surete du Quebec [34]

Colombia

National Police of Colombia [35]

Croatia

Croatian Ministry of Interior [36]

A Finnish Frontier Guard Agusta Bell AB-412

Czech Republic

Police of the Czech Republic [37]

Finland

Finnish Border Guard [38]

Indonesia

Indonesian National Police [39]

Iran

Iranian Red Crescent Society [40]

An Italian Guardia di Finanza Agusta Bell AB-412

Italy

Guardia di Finanza [41][_unreliable source?_]

State Forestry Corps [42]

Japan

Japan Coast Guard [43]

Tokyo Metropolitan Police [44]

South Korean National Police Bell 412

South Korea

Coast Guard [45][46]

Slovenia

Slovenian National Police [47]

United States

Chicago Fire Department [48]

Delaware State Police [49]

Los Angeles Police Department [50]

Los Angeles County Fire Department [51]

Miami-Dade County Fire Department [52]

New York Police Department [53]

Orange County Fire Authority [54]

San Diego Fire Department [55]

United States Park Police [56]

Ventura County Fire Department [57]

Virginia State Police [58]

An LA County Fire Dept. 412 sits atop a helipad in the mountains in the Angeles National Forest.

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Air Force. AB412 helicopters retired from SAR duties in 2015.[59]

Poland

Polish Air Force, 1 412HP used 1993–2011[60]

United States

Los Angeles Fire Department [61]

Uganda

Uganda Air Force [62]

United Kingdom

Royal Air Force

Incidents and accidents

[edit]

On April 4, 1991, a Bell 412SP collided in mid-air with a Piper Aerostar over Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, during an improvised attempt to inspect the Aerostar's landing gear. The accident killed all five people on both aircraft, including United States senator John Heinz, along with two children on the ground. The collision was attributed to poor judgment by the pilots of both aircraft.[63][64]
On December 10, 2006, Bell 412SP medical helicopter Mercy Air 2 crashed in mountainous terrain near Hesperia, California. All three crew members on board died. The accident was attributed to controlled flight into terrain in low visibility.[65][66]
On December 7, 2023, a Bell 412EP operated by the Guyanese military went down carrying 2 crew and 5 senior officers at the border between Venezuela and Guyana during bad weather.[67][68]

Specifications (412EP)

[edit]

Rotor head and transmission of a Bell 412

Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[69] Bell 412EP Product Specifications[70]

General characteristics

Crew: one-two pilots
Capacity: up to 13 passengers, maximum external load of almost 6,614 lb (3,000 kg)[5]
Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.09 m) including rotors
Fuselage length: 43 ft (13 m)
Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
Empty weight: 6,789 lb (3,079 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 11,900 lb (5,398 kg)
Blade sections: root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Wortmann FX 71-H-080[71]
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D Twin-Pac or PT6T-3DF Twin-Pac coupled turboshaft engine - each, 1,250 shp (930 kW)

900 shp (671 kW) single power section emergency power

Main rotor diameter: 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)
Main rotor area: 1,662 sq ft (154.4 m2)

Performance

Maximum speed: 140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)
Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h)
Range: 529 nmi (609 mi, 980 km)
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
Power/mass: 0.2663 hp/lb (0.4378 kW/kg)

Related development

Related lists

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Bell Helicopter 412EP official page