Bell 206

1962 utility helicopter family by Bell

The Bell 206 is a light helicopter. It was designed and built in the United States by Bell Helicopters.[1] It was originally designed for civilian purposes. It was changed to be used by the military,[2] including the US Army.[3] It first flew in December 1962. Its manufacturing stopped in 2010. Licence-built were occurred to Italian company Agusta.[4]

American civilian Bell 206B.

Specifications change

Bell 206 is 39.8½ feet (12.11 meters) long, 33.4 feet (10.16 meters) diameter, and 9.4½ feet (2.88 meters) tall. A minimum mass that weighs 1,713 pounds (777 kg) and at the maximum mass that weighs 3,200 pounds (1 451 kg). It's powered by an Allison 250 engine driving a helicopter rotor with two blades.

Variants change

 
Mauritius Bell 206B-3.
 
French Bell 206B.

Civil variants change

  • Bell 206.
  • Bell 206A.
    • Agusta-Bell 206A, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206A-1.
  • Agusta-Bell 206A-1, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206B.
    • Agusta-Bell 206B, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206B-2.
  • Bell 206B-3.
  • Bell 206L LongRanger.[5]
    • Agusta-Bell 206L, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II.
    • Agusta-Bell 206L-1, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206L-1+ LongRanger.
  • Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III.
    • Agusta-Bell 206L-3, license-built in Italy.
  • Bell 206L-3+ LongRanger.
  • Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV.
  • Bell 206LT TwinRanger.

Military variants change

 
US Marines Corps TH-57C Sea Ranger

Users change

Civil users change

The Bell 206 is a very popular helicopter and was sold in many countries in the world, particularly in USA, Canada, and in Europe.

Military users change

 
Ugandan military Bell 206B.
 
US Army Bell OH-58D.

In 2013, current and former users of Bell 206 included:

  Albania
  Argentina
  Bangladesh
  Brazil
  Bulgaria
  Canada
  Chile
  Croatia
  Finland
  Iran
  Italy
  Latvia
  Mexico
  Pakistan
  Serbia
  Slovenia
  Sweden
  Thailand
  Taiwan
  Turkey
  Uganda
  United States
  Venezuela

Similar aircraft change

References change

  1. "Bell Helicopter Bell 206 JetRanger - Specifications - Technical Data / Description". www.flugzeuginfo.net.
  2. "Bell 206A "Jet Ranger" / OH-58 "Kiowa" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data". www.aviastar.org.
  3. "Bell 206 / YOH-4A helicopter - development history, photos, technical data". www.aviastar.org.
  4. "Bell 206 407 427 429". Helis.com.
  5. "Bell 206L "Long Ranger" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data". www.aviastar.org.
  6. (in French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/avion-militaire/bell-oh-58-kiowa/

Other websites change