Bell 412 | |
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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 |
First flight | August 1979 |
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.