Bell 212 Twin Huey
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 1969 · helicopter
The Bell 212 is a twin-engine evolution of the UH-1 Huey, retaining the iconic two-blade semi-rigid rotor while adding a coupled PT6T Twin Pac powerplant for improved performance and single-engine safety.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.46 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-blade semi-rigid teetering rotor — same diameter and profile as UH-1 Huey, unlike Bell 412's four-blade composite rotor
- Distinctive Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin Pac twin-engine pack under the rotor mast housing two coupled turbines
- Broader, taller cabin cross-section than single-engine Huey to accommodate 13 passengers
Essentially a wider-bodied Huey with a twin-engine cowling under the mast; distinguished from the Bell 412 by its two-blade semi-rigid rotor rather than the 412's four-blade composite system, and from the UH-1 by the broader Twin Pac engine fairing.
Specifications
- The Bell 212 Twin Huey has a length of 17.46 m (57 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.69 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 259 km/h (161 mph).
- Typical crew: 1–2 pilots + 13 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in 1968 in response to a Canadian Forces requirement for a twin-engine utility helicopter, the 212 was certificated in 1970 and adopted by the US military as the UH-1N. Civilian variants proved popular in the oil and gas industry worldwide, and licence production continued in Italy as the Agusta-Bell 212.
Variants
The military UH-1N serves the US Navy and Marine Corps; the AB 212 ASW built by Agusta added dipping sonar and torpedoes for the Italian and other navies; the AB 212 naval variant remains in service across the Mediterranean.
Where you'll see it
The RAF operated 212-based types via the Agusta-Bell AB 212; several overseas operators supplied or trained with UK assistance flew the type extensively in the Middle East and North Africa.
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