View source for Bell 212

{{Short description|1968 utility helicopter family by Bell}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2022}}
{{about|the civil versions and operators of the Bell 212|the military versions and operators|UH-1N Twin Huey|an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft|Bell Huey family|the computer modem|Bell 212A}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name= Bell 212
  |image= File:Kachina-b212-N212KA-030909-02cr.jpg
  |caption= Bell 212 operated by Kachina departs from the [[Mojave Spaceport]]
  |type= Medium [[utility helicopter]]
  |national_origin= United States/Canada
  |manufacturer= [[Bell Helicopter]]
  |designer= <!--only appropriate for individuals, not for project leaders or a company or corporation-->
  |first_flight= 1968
  |introduction= 1968
  |retired= <!--date the aircraft left military or revenue service. If vague or multiples, it probably should be skipped-->
  |status= Production completed
  |primary_user= [[CHC Helicopter]]
  |more_users= <!--limited to three "more users" total. please separate with <br/>-->
  |produced= 1968–1998<ref name=JHMS_Bell_212/>
  |number_built= 
  |developed_from= [[Bell 204/205]]
  |variants= [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey]]
  |developed_into= [[Bell 412]]
}}

The '''Bell 212''' (also known as the ''Bell Two-Twelve'') is a two-blade, twin-engine, medium [[helicopter]] that first flew in 1968. Originally manufactured by [[Bell Helicopter]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], [[United States]], production was moved to [[Mirabel, Quebec]], [[Canada]] in 1988, along with all Bell commercial helicopter production after that plant opened in 1986.<ref name="IC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/nvgt.do?sbPrtl=&prtl=1&estblmntNo=123456000951&profile=cmpltPrfl&profileId=1421&app=sold&lang=eng|title = Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. – Complete Profile|access-date = 11 December 2010|last = Industry Canada|author-link = Industry Canada|date = December 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121001032111/http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/nvgt.do?sbPrtl=&prtl=1&estblmntNo=123456000951&profile=cmpltPrfl&profileId=1421&app=sold&lang=eng|archive-date = 1 October 2012|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="FlightIntl14Nov87">{{Cite news|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202346.html?search=Mirabel%20Bell%20212|title = Canada Seeks Helicopter Self Sufficiency|access-date = 14 December 2010|last = Goold |first = Ian |date=November 1987| work = Flight International}}</ref>

The 212 was marketed to civilian operators and has up to a 15-seat capacity, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo-carrying configuration, the 212 has an internal capacity of 220&nbsp;ft<sup>3</sup> (6.23 m<sup>3</sup>). An external load of up to 5,000&nbsp;lb (2,268&nbsp;kg) can be carried.

==Development==
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2019}}
Based on the stretched fuselage [[Bell 204/205|Bell 205]], the Bell 212 was originally developed for the [[Canadian Forces]] as the ''CUH-1N'' and later redesignated as the ''[[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|CH-135]]''. The Canadian Forces took delivery of 50 starting in May 1971. At the same time the [[Military of the United States|United States military services]] ordered 294 Bell 212s under the designation UH-1N.

[[File:BMI Bell 212 D-HBZT.jpg|thumb|left|[[Germany|German]] Bell 212 used as [[air ambulance]] by the [[Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)|Ministry of the Interior]]]]
By 1971, the Bell 212 had been developed for commercial applications. Among the earliest uses of the type in civil aviation was by [[CHC Helicopter|Helicopter Service AS]] of Norway to be used in support of [[offshore drilling]]; it proved popular across the offshore sector in particular as it had been certified for operating under marginal weather conditions.<ref name = "aeroespacio 2008">{{cite web |url = http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/538-550/542/site/_05Bell%20212.htm |title = ElBell 212 en la Fuerza Aérea |publisher = FAA official magazine |access-date = June 25, 2022 |archive-date = October 28, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081028175607/http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/538-550/542/site/_05Bell%20212.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> Today, the 212 can be found used in logging operations, maritime rescue and resupply in the Arctic on the [[Distant Early Warning Line]] or [[North Warning System]].

The 212 is powered by a [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T]]-3 Twin-Pac made up of two coupled [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|PT6]] power turbines driving a common gearbox. They are capable of producing up to 1,800 shp (1,342&nbsp;kW). Should one power section fail the remaining section can deliver 900 shp (671&nbsp;kW) for 30 minutes, or 765 shp (571&nbsp;kW) continuously, enabling the 212 to maintain cruise performance at maximum weight.

Early 212s configured with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) package were required to have a large and very obvious fin attached to the roof of the aircraft, above and slightly behind the cockpit. This fin was initially determined necessary to alter the turning performance of the aircraft during complex instrument flight maneuvers, but is no longer required due to revised stipulations of the type certificate. Many aircraft still fly with the modification.

In 1979, with the purchase of eight by the Civil Air Authority, the 212 became the first U.S. helicopter sold in the [[People's Republic of China]].

The [[ICAO]] designator for this aircraft as used in a [[flight plan]] is "B212". Bell developed the Model 212 further with the [[Bell 412]]; the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.  The last Bell 212 was delivered in 1998.<ref name=JHMS_Bell_212>[https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=Reference&ItemId=+++1311944&Pubabbrev=JHMS "Bell 212"] (subscription article). ''Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems''. Jane's Information Group, 2 April 2013.</ref>
<!--==Operational history== -->

==Variants==
*'''Bell Model 212''' - Bell Helicopters company designation for the [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1N]].
*'''Twin Two-Twelve''' - Civil utility transport version. It can carry up to 14 passengers.
*'''Agusta-Bell AB 212''' - Civil or military utility transport version. Built under license in [[Italy]] by [[Agusta]].
*'''Agusta-Bell AB.212ASW''' - Anti-Submarine Warfare variant of AB.212
*'''[[Bell 412|Bell Model 412]]''' - Bell 212 with a four-bladed semi-rigid rotor system.
*'''Eagle Single''' - Bell 212 converted to a single-engine configuration. Produced by Eagle Copters of [[Calgary, Alberta]], [[Canada]], using a [[Lycoming T53|Lycoming T5317A, T5317B, or T5317BCV]] engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eaglecopters.com/eagle-single |access-date=6 May 2020 |title=Eagle Single &#124; Airframe Customizations &#124; Eagle Copters }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://verticalmag.com/news/eagle-copters-obtains-u-s-faa-certification-for-the-eagle-single-html/?amp |access-date=6 June 2023 |title=Eagle Copters Obtains U.S. FAA Certification for the Eagle Single }}</ref>

==Operators==
{{for|military operators|Bell UH-1N Twin Huey}}
[[File:Day-fire-helitack-01.jpg|thumb|[[Santa Barbara County]] [[Handcrew]] and a Bell 212 on the [[Day Fire]] ]]
[[File:Bangladesh Air Force Bell-212 (3) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Bangladesh Air Force]] Bell-212s flying in formation over the [[Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban|National parliament of Bangladesh]] ]]

===Civil and government operators===
The Bell 212 is used by many private and commercial operators, it is particularly popular in the oil industries and for law enforcement use.

;{{CAN}}
* [[Canadian Coast Guard]] - former operator of six 212s<ref name="CCG">{{cite web|url = http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/e0001589|title = Coast Guard Rotary Wing Aircraft|access-date = 4 November 2012|last = Canadian Coast Guard|author-link = Canadian Coast Guard|date = 17 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130420003410/http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/e0001589|archive-date = 20 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="Vertical">{{cite web|url= https://www.verticalmag.com/features/better-faster-stronger-canadian-coast-guards-new-helicopter-fleet/|title= Better, Faster, Stronger: The Canadian Coast Guard's new helicopter fleet|access-date= 15 July 2020|last= Johnson|first= Oliver|work= Vertical Magazine|date= 5 January 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180614070736/https://www.verticalmag.com/features/better-faster-stronger-canadian-coast-guards-new-helicopter-fleet/|archive-date= 14 June 2018|url-status= live}}</ref>
;{{BAN}}
*[[Bangladesh Air Force]] operates 14 Bell 212
;{{BIH}}
*[[State Investigation and Protection Agency]]
;{{CRO}}
*[[Croatian Police]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helis.com/database/org/Croatian-Police/cn|title=Policija Fleet|website=Helis.com}}</ref>
;{{COL}}
* [[Colombian National Police|Policía Nacional de Colombia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rwrwalker.ca/CF_twin_huey.html|title=CH-135 detailed list|work=rwrwalker.ca|access-date=17 April 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060544/http://rwrwalker.ca/CF_twin_huey.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
;{{GRL}}
* [[Air Greenland]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airgreenland.com/charter/fleet/bell-212|title=Bell 212|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
;{{IRN}}
*Iranian state<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/19/iran-helicopter-accident-live-president-fm-on-missing-aircraft |title=Iran helicopter crash live news: Rescuers find President Raisi's aircraft |date=May 19, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=[[Aljazeera]] |first=Ted |last=Regencia}}</ref>
;{{JPN}}
*[[Japan Coast Guard]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyteam.jp/photo/japan-coast-guard/Bell-212/518999|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218195627/http://flyteam.jp/photo/japan-coast-guard/Bell-212/518999|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|title=Japan Coast Guard Bell-212|publisher=海上保安庁 2013 FlyTeam|access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>
;{{MKD}}
*[[Police of North Macedonia]]
[[File:Bell 212 Z3-HHB of the North Macedonian Police.jpg|thumb|Bell 212 of the Macedonian Police (now [[Police of North Macedonia]]) flying over [[Skopje]] in 2008]]
;{{SRB}}
*[[Police of Serbia|Serbian Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/yugo/serbia/pol/serbia-police-home.htm|title= Serbia Police Aviation |publisher= aeroflight.co.uk |access-date=14 January 2014}}</ref>
;{{SLO}}
*[[Law enforcement in Slovenia|Slovenian National Police]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.policija.si/index.php/o-policiji/6309-helikopterji-in-oprema?lang= |title=Helikopterji in oprema |publisher=policija.si |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608174523/http://www.policija.si/index.php/o-policiji/6309-helikopterji-in-oprema?lang= |url-status=dead }}</ref>
;{{THA}}
*[[Royal Thai Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tpad.police.go.th/news1.php|title=Thai Police Aviation Division|work=police.go.th|access-date=17 April 2015|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417030004/http://www.tpad.police.go.th/news1.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
;{{USA}}
*[[San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/aviation/Aircraft_Operated.asp |title= Aircraft Operated |publisher= sbcounty.gov |access-date=26 July 2013}}</ref>  
* [[San Diego Fire Department]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/public-service/fire/73994.html#.UfQiSfnn-M8 |title=Dousing the Flames: San Diego Fire Department Air Ops Program |publisher=Access Intelligence, LLC |access-date=26 July 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225736/http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/public-service/fire/73994.html#.UfQiSfnn-M8 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Specifications (Bell 212) ==
[[File:Bell UH-1N Iroquois Drawing.svg|thumb|Bell 212 3-view drawing]]
[[File:Cockpit Augusta Bell 212.jpg|thumb|Cockpit]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bell 212 Rotorcraft Flight Manual<ref>Bell 212 Rotorcraft Flight Manual BHT-212IFR-FM-1 revision 3, 1 May 1998.</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1 (two for [[Instrument flight rules|IFR]] operation)
|capacity=14 passengers
|length ft=57
|length in=1.68
|length note=
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|width note=
|height ft=12
|height in=6.83
|height note=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=6529
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=11200
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3]] or -3B
|eng1 type=coupled [[turboshaft]] engine
|eng1 shp=1800
|eng1 note=(TwinPac)

|rot number=1
|rot dia ft=48
|rot dia in=0
|rot area sqft=1809.5
|rot area note=<br/>
*'''Blade Section:'''   '''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0010.8]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0005.4 mod]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kts=100
|cruise speed note=
|never exceed speed kts=120
|never exceed speed note=
|range nmi=237
|range note=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=17400
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=1745
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|disk loading lb/sqft=6.19
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=

|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==Notable incidents==
*[[1982 Bristow Helicopters Bell 212 crash]]: On 14 September 1982, a [[medical evacuation]] [[helicopter]] flight operated by [[Bristow Helicopters]] crashed during the early hours of the morning in driving rain and poor [[visibility]] over the [[North Sea]]. All six crew members on board died when their aircraft plunged into the sea near the [[Murchison oilfield|Murchison]] [[Fixed platform|platform]] while trying to locate the ''Baffin Seal'' seismic [[survey vessel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2/1984 Bell 212, G-BDIL, 14 September 1982 |url=https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/2-1984-bell-212-g-bdil-14-september-1982 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
*[[2012 Rampayoh helicopter crash]]: On 20 July 2012, a Bell 212 helicopter of the [[Royal Brunei Air Force]] (RBAirF) crashed in the region of [[Kuala Belait]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-07-21 |title=12 killed in Brunei helicopter crash |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/21/world/asia/brunei-helicopter-crash/index.html |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Ngui |first=Yantoultra |date=2012-07-21 |editor-last=Popeski |editor-first=Ron |title=Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12; 2 survive |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/brunei-air-force-helicopter-crash-kills-12-2-survive-idUSDEE86K03H/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Reuters}}</ref> at [[Rampayoh|Ulu Rampayoh]] in [[Mukim Labi]]. Twelve of the fourteen people on board were killed.<ref name=":5" /> The two survivors were in serious condition but recovered.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-22 |title=Brunei air force helicopter crash kills 12, two cadets survive |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/22/brunei-air-force-helicopter-crash-kills-12-two-cadets-survive/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash]]: On 19 May 2024, a Bell 212 helicopter operated by the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] carrying Iranian [[President of Iran|President]] [[Ebrahim Raisi]], Foreign Minister [[Hossein Amir-Abdollahian]], Governor of East Azerbaijan [[Malek Rahmati]], and the Supreme Leader's representative in East Azerbaijan [[Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem]] [[2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash|crashed]] near the [[Iran]]ian city of [[Varzaqan]], [[East Azerbaijan province|East Azerbaijan]], killing all 8 people on board.<ref name="cnnCrash">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/raisi-iran-president-helicopter-crash/h_f56d9dc05b70138e1dacf0cfa1daa796|work=[[CNN]]|date=20 May 2024|title=Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, state media says|first=Jerome|last=Taylor |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zarracina |first=George Petras and Javier |title=Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi dies in Vietnam-era Bell 212 helicopter crash on mountain |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/05/20/iran-president-bell-212-helicopter-crash-ebrahim-raisi/73767283007/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=

|related=
* [[Bell 204/205]]
* [[Bell 412]]
* [[Bell CH-146 Griffon]]
* [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]]
* [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey]]
* [[Bell UH-1Y Venom]]
|similar aircraft=

|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the AOC]]
* [[List of civil aircraft]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Chant, Christopher. ''Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century''. Graham Beehag Books, Christchurch, Dorset, England (1996). 
* Debay, Yves. ''Combat Helicopters,'' France: Histoire & Collections (1996).
* Mutza, Wayne. ''UH-1 Huey in Colors''. Carrollton, TX: Squadron Signal. {{ISBN|0-89747-279-9}}.

==External links==
{{Commons|UH-1 Twin Huey}}
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avhuey_2.html#m1 The Bell 212 on Greg Goebel's Air Vectors]

{{Bell Aircraft}}
{{Huey family}}

[[Category:1960s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Search and rescue helicopters]]
[[Category:1960s Canadian helicopters]]
[[Category:Twin-turbine helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1968]]
[[Category:Bell aircraft|212]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear]]