Bell 400 TwinRanger
Bell Textron · United States · first flew 1984 · helicopter
The Bell 400 TwinRanger was a twin-engine development of the Bell 206L LongRanger light helicopter, intended to offer improved safety for offshore and EMS operations, but the programme was cancelled before production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine development of the Bell 206 LongRanger
- Programme cancelled; never entered production
- Prototype only — demonstrator for twin-engine safety concept
Closely resembles the Bell 206 LongRanger but with two turboshaft engines in a widened upper fuselage cowling behind the main rotor head; the twin-engine installation above the cabin is the primary distinguishing feature.
Specifications
- The Bell 400 TwinRanger has a length of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.3 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 245 km/h (152 mph).
- Typical crew: 1–2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Bell flew the TwinRanger prototype in 1984 using a modified LongRanger airframe fitted with two Allison 250 turboshafts. Despite promising performance, Bell cancelled the programme as the market preferred the cheaper single-engine LongRanger; the commercial niche was later partly filled by the Bell 427.
Variants
Single prototype only; no production variant was completed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the prototype was used for flight test only before the programme ended.
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