Bell
206/406/407/427
(TH-57 & OH-58)
![](images/h58an.gif)
![Bell 206](images/h58_4.jpg)
The legendary Bell 206B
JetRanger III is simply the most successful commercial helicopter ever
built. Flying in every type of climate from the artic to the jungles, to
the hottest deserts of the worlds. The 206 has accepted, accomplished more
missions, has flown more hours and has set (and broken) more industry
records than any other aircraft in the world.
The Bell Model 206 was originally designed to meet the needs of the US
Army LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) 1962 competition as the
YOH-4 . The 206 was defeated by the Hughes OH-6 but a much- modified
derivative, the Bell 206A was commercially successful and later adopted by
the US Navy as the TH-57 Sea Ranger for training purposes. In 1968, the
206A was selected as the "LOH 2nd Edition" winner and entered the US Army
inventory as the OH-58A Kiowa.
After the successful of the 206B derivates in the 80s, Bell introduced in
1994 the Bell 407 a new light four-bladed single engine helicopter and the
Bell 427, the twin engine variant, in 1995.
The US Army had continuously improved the Kiowa beginning with the OH-58C
in the 80s, the AHIP Advanced Helicopter Improvement Program OH-58D which
was the eyes of 90s Army and the last OH-58D Kiowa Warrior capable of fire
hellfire missiles.
The Bell Ranger was built also by Agusta in Italy as the AB.206
July 22,1994: Speed flight record around the world. American Ron Bower on
a Bell 206B JetRanger III flew the course taking 24½ days to attain an
average speed of 65.97 km/h
![](../new_site/images4/11.jpg)
US Navy's TH-57 Sea Ranger
![](../new_site/images4/12.jpg)
Bell 206 Jet Ranger
![](images/h58_c52.jpg)
OH-58D loading on USAF C-5 Galaxy
![Bell 407](images/h58_3.jpg)
Bell 407
![](../new_site/images4/13.jpg)
Bell 427
![](../new_site/images4/65.gif)
Functions:
Utility / Observation / Trainer / VIP
First Flights :
Bell 206 LOH YOH-4 : 1963
Bell 206A JetRanger : Jan 10, 1966
TH-57 / OH-58A: 1968
OH-58C : 1975
Bell 406 AHIP OH-58D : 1981
Bell 407 : 1994
Bell 427 : 1995
Crew / Load: 2 / 4
OH-58C :
Engines: 1 * 420 hp Allison T-63-A-720
Top Speed: 220 km/h
Range: Max.: 490 km
Ceiling: 5.760 m
Weight: Empty: 719 kg -- Max: 1451
Rotor Span: 10.77 m
Length: 12.49 m
Height: 2.91 m
Disc Area: 91.09 m2
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