Bell 412 Explained

Bell 412
Type:Multipurpose utility helicopter
National Origin:United States/Canada
Manufacturer:Bell Helicopter
More Users:See Operators for others
Produced:1979–present
Number Built:1,300+[1]
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

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.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]

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.

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

Variants

Bell 412: Standard Model with P&WC PT6T-3B
  • 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
  • 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]
  • 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]
    • (Formerly known as 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]

    • Operators

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

    Military operators

    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]
  • Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force
  • 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (3e École de pilotage des Forces canadiennes)

    See main article: Bell CH-146 Griffon.

    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]
  • 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]
  • Japan: Japan Ground Self Defence Force[18]
  • Lesotho: Lesotho Defence Force[18]
  • 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]
    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]
  • South Korea: South Korean Air Force[18]
  • Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Air Force[18]
  • Tanzania: Tanzania People's Defense Force[18]
  • 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

    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]
  • Czech Republic: Police of the Czech Republic[37]
  • Finland: Finnish Border Guard[38]
  • Indonesia: Indonesian National Police[39]
  • Iran: Iranian Red Crescent Society[40]
  • Italy: Guardia di Finanza[41]
  • State Forestry Corps[42]
    Japan: Japan Coast Guard[43]
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Police[44]
    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]

    Former

    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
  • United Kingdom: Royal Air Force

    • Incidents and accidents

    References

    Sources

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Subaru Bell's new pickup: the 412EPX . 2024-04-29 . Vertical Mag . en-US.
    2. Web site: Airliners.net. Airliners.net.
    3. Web site: Bell Helicopter LUH Submission Surpasses 3.1 Million Flight Hour Milestone . 2024-04-27 . Vertical Mag . en-US.
    4. . Bell Helicopter Introduces the Bell 412EPI: Boosts Performance and Reliability . Las Vegas, NV . . 4 March 2013 . 11 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100337/http://investor.textron.com/news/news-releases/press-release-details/2013/Bell-Helicopter-Introduces-the-Bell-412EPI-Boosts-Performance-and-Reliability/default.aspx . 5 February 2017 . live .
    5. http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/bell-412/ Bell/Agusta Bell 412 – Medium Transport Helicopter, USA/Italy
    6. Web site: Bell / Agusta Bell 412 - Aerospace Technology . 2024-04-24 . www.aerospace-technology.com.
    7. Web site: Bell 412EP - program supplier guide Airframer . 2024-04-24 . www.airframer.com.
    8. Web site: HeliHub.com . 2021-10-21 . Royal Thai Air Force retires five older Bell 412s . 2024-04-24 . HeliHub.com . en-GB.
    9. Web site: Subaru Bell's new pickup: the 412EPX . 2024-04-29 . Vertical Mag . en-US.
    10. Web site: ESD . 2023-04-03 . Griffons of RAF Akrotiri Give Way to Pumas . 2024-04-24 . euro-sd.com . en-US.
    11. http://www.vectorsite.net/avhuey.html#m5 Model 212 Twin Huey: USN-USMC UH-1N / Model 412
    12. Web site: Bell 412LUH .
    13. Web site: Camp AKENO Junior Crew. www.mod.go.jp. 2019-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414152042/https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/akeno/photo.html. 2019-04-14. live.
    14. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/11/national/european-u-s-helicopter-makers-bid-for-2b-japan-deal-sources/#.VDflYU3u2M8 "Foreign firms bid for $2 billion chopper deal"
    15. News: Waldron . Greg . June 20, 2018 . Bell targets Asia-Pacific attack helicopter opportunities . FlightGlobal . July 17, 2018.
    16. Web site: Subaru and Bell announce collaboration on commercial 412 helicopter upgrade . . July 16, 2018 . textron.com . July 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180717154152/https://investor.textron.com/news/news-releases/press-release-details/2018/SUBARU-AND-BELL-ANNOUNCE-COLLABORATION-ON-COMMERCIAL-412-HELICOPTER-UPGRADE/default.aspx . July 17, 2018 . live .
    17. UH-X approaches maiden sortie . . 4–10 December 2018 . 194 . 5665 . 13 . 0015-3710.
    18. News: World Air Forces 2024. Flight Global. flightglobal.com . 2023 . 26 February 2024.
    19. Web site: Toll Helicopters pitches WOG-RW solution - Australian Defence Magazine . 2024-04-27 . www.australiandefence.com.au . en.
    20. Web site: Εξοπλισμός Εθνικής Φρουράς (Κύπρος) . 2022-11-22 . www.ellinikos-stratos.com.
    21. Web site: Iraq Approved To Buy Armed Bell 407M, 412M Helos Aviation Week Network . 2024-06-14 . aviationweek.com.
    22. Web site: World Air Forces 2021 . Flightglobal Insight . 2021 . 25 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210321112944/https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/world-air-forces-2021 . 21 March 2021 . dead.
    23. Web site: Arms transfer database . 2024-09-11 . armstransfers.sipri.org.
    24. Web site: Turkey And Georgia Conducted A Naval Exercise . 29 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120806224236/http://turkishnavy.net/tag/turkish-coast-guard/ . 6 August 2012 . live .
    25. Web site: RAC Rescue Helicopters . 2016-10-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161012154443/https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/aboutus/operationalinformation/helicoptersandaircraft/Pages/racrescuehelicopter.aspx . 2016-10-12 . live .
    26. Web site: RAC Rescue Helicopter fact sheet . 2019-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323190827/https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/aboutus/operationalinformation/helicoptersandaircraft/RACPublications/DFES-RACRescueHelicopter-Factsheet.pdf . 2019-03-23 . live .
    27. Web site: Queenslanders Gov.t Fleet . qld.gov.au . 10 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130429115602/http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/aviation/aircraft/ . 29 April 2013 . live .
    28. Web site: Bell 412EPI helicopter for NSW Police Force . 2013-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202120425/http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/bell-412epi-helicopter-for-nsw-police-force . 2013-12-02 . live .
    29. Web site: New South Wales Rural Fire Service Awards 412 Fleet Operation & Maintenance to Coulson Aviation PTY. Team. Coulson. 2020-04-03. Coulson Aviation Australia. en-US. 2020-04-06.
    30. Web site: PF tem mais dois helicópteros que não levantam voo há quase dois anos . https://web.archive.org/web/20130920042840/http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/brasil/2013/09/13/interna_brasil,387933/pf-tem-mais-dois-helicopteros-que-nao-levantam-voo-ha-quase-dois-anos.shtml . dead . 20 September 2013 . CorreioBraziliense.com.br . 11 November 2013.
    31. Web site: New helos for the Coast Guard . janes.com . 16 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180616231419/http://www.janes.com/article/70975/new-helos-for-the-coast-guard-cansec17d1 . 16 June 2018 . live .
    32. Web site: Better, Faster, Stronger: The Canadian Coast Guard's new helicopter fleet. 15 July 2020. Johnson. Oliver. Vertical Magazine. 5 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180614070736/https://www.verticalmag.com/features/better-faster-stronger-canadian-coast-guards-new-helicopter-fleet/. 14 June 2018. live.
    33. Web site: ARCHIVED - Bell 412 (ASRA) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224014446/http://archive.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/facilities/iar/bell-412.html . 2013-12-24 .
    34. Web site: Le service héliporté de la Sûreté du Québec . 2014-01-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203163940/http://www.suretequebec.gouv.qc.ca/mission-et-services/publications/depliant-alea.pdf . 2014-02-03 .
    35. Web site: BELL 412 -Aviación Policial de la Policía Nacional . January 23, 2016 . . 14 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170414163512/https://www.policia.gov.co/componentes/bell-412 . 14 April 2017 . live .
    36. Web site: First Subaru Bell 412EPXs Sold In Europe. 4 October 2022. O'Connor. Kate. AVweb. 3 October 2022. https://archive.today/20221004121829/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/first-bell-412epxs-sold-in-europe/. 4 October 2022. live.
    37. Web site: Policie České Republiky - Letecká služba - Technika . 6 June 2024 .
    38. Web site: The Border Guard's vessels and aircraft . 2014-08-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084705/http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft . 2015-09-24 . live .
    39. Web site: 4 December 2018. Polairud Dapatkan Heli Baru NBell-412 P-3003 Buatan PTDI. 11 December 2020. airspace-review.com. id.
    40. News: کاموف ۲۲۶تی، آینده هلیکوپترهای امداد در ایران؟. BBC Persian. BBC News فارسی. 2 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402070028/http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-features-42237792. 2 April 2019. live.
    41. News: AB-412 Guardia di Finanza . Helis.com . 1 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130602134103/http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/676/ . 2 June 2013 . live .
    42. Roelofs . Erik . Italy's Flying Foresters . . April 2012 . 82 . 4 . 78–81 . 0306-5634.
    43. Web site: 第二管区海上保安本部 仙台航空基地 . 2016-09-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151124014305/http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/02kanku/sendai-airstation/0403_b412.html . 2015-11-24 . live .
    44. Thompson, Paul Police Air Units J-HangarSpace Retrieved February 22, 2017
    45. Web site: Introduction (Coast guard, Korea, South), Coast guard . janes.com . 17 February 2013 . https://archive.today/20130411065432/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Fighting-Ships/Introduction-Coast-guard-Korea-South.html . 11 April 2013 . live .
    46. Web site: South Korean Coast Guard Bell 412EP . 17 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150608113857/http://www.airliners.net/photo/South-Korea--/Bell-412EP/1866773/L/%26sid%3D53e260cba6c6cb9b9dddfb2358f533d3 . 8 June 2015 . live .
    47. Web site: Helikopterji in oprema . policija.si . 23 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150608174523/http://www.policija.si/index.php/o-policiji/6309-helikopterji-in-oprema?lang= . 8 June 2015 . live .
    48. Web site: Great Lake Saviors . Vertical Magazine . 16 November 2011 . 10 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150419022205/http://www.verticalmag.com/features/features_article/great-lake-saviors.html . 19 April 2015 . live .
    49. Web site: Delaware Marks 40 Years of Service . https://web.archive.org/web/20101119122232/http://alea.org/public/newsletters/10_11/index.htm . dead . 19 November 2010 . © Copyright 2010 by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association . 30 December 2012.
    50. Web site: History of the Air Support Division . 2024-01-02 . LAPD Online . en-us.
    51. Web site: L.A. County Fire . Los Angeles county fire department . 30 December 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070712015849/http://fire.lacounty.gov/AirWildland/AirWildlandAirOps.asp . 12 July 2007.
    52. Web site: Miami-Dade-Fire-Rescue . Miami-Dade County.gov . 30 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130501070500/http://www.miamidade.gov/fire/about-special-air-rescue.asp . 1 May 2013 . live .
    53. News: NYPD Bell 412 . Helis.com . 30 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130602150409/http://www.helis.com/database/news/b412_nypd_2012/ . 2 June 2013 . live .
    54. Web site: Orange County Fire Authority's New Bell 412 Fire and Rescue Helicopters. https://archive.today/20130122231315/http://fdnntv.com/news.asp_Q_articleID_E_8631_A_title_E_Orange_County_Fire_Authority's_New_. dead. 22 January 2013 . ©Copyright 2012 FDNNTV.com . 30 December 2012.
    55. Web site: San-Diego-Fire signs for Bell-412 . 2012 Copyright Shephard Press Limited . 28 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130521143341/http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/san-diego-fire-rescue-sign-for-bell-412-/ . 21 May 2013 . live .
    56. Web site: Bald Eagle Rescue is a team effort . 31 December 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150725232222/http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2002/051602.html . 25 July 2015 .
    57. Web site: New state-of-the-art helicopter arrives at Ventura County Aviation Unit . 2023-02-21 . Ventura County Star . en-US.
    58. Web site: State police secure funds to replace helicopter that crashed last summer, killing 2 troopers; new pilots being trained. July 2018 .
    59. Web site: 2015-01-31 . Aviation News – Royal Netherlands Air Force retires AB-412 and disbands 303 SAR Squadron . 2024-04-24 . GAR - We've got aviation covered . en-GB.
    60. http://lotniczapolska.pl/Bell-412-opuscil-Okecie,22818 Bell 412 opuścił Okęcie.
    61. Web site: 2022-05-27 . Air Operations Los Angeles Fire Department . 2024-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527072343/https://www.lafd.org/about/special-operations/air-operations#:~:text=In%202017,%20the%20Department%20retired%20the%20last%20of%20its%20venerable%20Bell%20412s,%20the%20longtime%20workhorse%20of%20the%20fleet. . May 27, 2022 .
    62. Web site: 2016-04-11 . Remembering the John Heinz Tragedy, Twenty-Five Years Later . 2024-05-22 . Main Line Today . en-US.
    63. Aircraft Accident/Incident Summary Report . AAR9101S . . September 17, 1991 . NTSB.gov.
    64. Web site: Times . Maeve Reston Maeve Reston is a former political reporter for the Los Angeles . 2006-12-12 . Air crews mourn 3 killed in Cajon Pass . 2024-05-22 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
    65. 2021-04-20 . Aviation Investigation Final Report . LAX07FA056 . National Transportation Safety Board . 2008-07-30 .
    66. Web site: 2023-12-07 . Guyana military helicopter crash kills 5 officers and leaves 2 survivors . 2024-05-22 . AP News . en.
    67. Web site: Reece . Maggie . 2023-12-09 . GDF Bell 412 Helicopter Crashes: Five Dead, Two Injured . 2024-05-22 . Guyana Graphic . en-US.

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