×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

Bell Model 427


Light Twin-Engine Multirole Utility Helicopter


United States | 2000



"The Bell Model 427 failed to net market interest so the line was eventually discontinued in favor of the more promising Model 429 instead."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Bell Model 427 Light Twin-Engine Multirole Utility Helicopter.
2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D turboshaft engines developing 710 horsepower each and driving a four-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor.
Propulsion
162 mph
260 kph | 140 kts
Max Speed
10,007 ft
3,050 m | 2 miles
Service Ceiling
454 miles
730 km | 394 nm
Operational Range
2,000 ft/min
610 m/min
Rate-of-Climb
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Bell Model 427 Light Twin-Engine Multirole Utility Helicopter.
1
(MANNED)
Crew
37.5 ft
11.42 m
O/A Length
37.1 ft
(11.30 m)
O/A Width
10.5 ft
(3.20 m)
O/A Height
3,858 lb
(1,750 kg)
Empty Weight
6,614 lb
(3,000 kg)
MTOW
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Bell Model 427 family line.
Model 427 - Base Series Designation.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Bell Model 427 was a failed attempt by Bell Helicopters to produce a new twin-engine light platform for the civilian market (competing with the Agusta AW109, Airbus Helicopters EC145 and HAL Dhruv) based on its successful single-engined Bell Model 206/407. The Model 427 was differentiated by a twin-engine arrangement but carried the same four-bladed main rotor / two-bladed tail rotor configuration. First-flying on December 11th, 1997 and introduced in 2000, the series saw production span from 1997 and 2010 before the company nixed the model from its lineup in favor of the Model 429 offering instead (detailed elsewhere on this site). Only Argentina and the Czech Republic became operators of the short-lived Model 427.

The Model 427 was essentially another Bell attempt to generate market interest in a twin-engined form of its successful Model 206/407 lines. Work began, in conjunction with Samsung Aerospace Industries of South Korea, in the mid-1990s and its development was largely tied to Computer Aided Design (CAD) to keep costs in check. A prototype went airborne for the first time on December 11th, 1997 and certification followed in 1999-2000.

Much like the Model 206/407, the Model 427's design seated its crew in a side-by-side arrangement at the front with large transparent panels offering excellent vision out-of-the-cockpit. Entry-exit was by automobile-style hinged doors along the fuselage sides with larger doors featured at the passenger cabin area. Up to seven passengers could be carried. The cockpit showcased modern elements including two large interactive screens coupled with steam-type gauges.

Outwardly, the helicopter was given fine contouring where even its engine installations were well-embedded into the design to promote a sleek offering. The tail stem was elevated and held outboard horizontal/vertical planes and the main vertical stabilizer was featured at the extreme aft end of the aircraft. The stem also housed the drive shaft powering the two-bladed tail rotor (seated to portside). Over the passenger cabin were the two engines driving the four-bladed main rotor arrangement. The hub was of composite construction and the main rotor blades rigid.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.


The engines were given full FADEC (Full-Authority Digital Engine Control) capability and encompassed 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D turboshaft types rated at 710 horsepower apiece. Performance specs included a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 160 mph, a range out to 395 miles and a service ceiling of 10,000 feet. Rate-of-climb reached 2,000 feet-per-minute.

Dimensions included a length of 37.5 feet, a width (including the main rotor) of 37 feet and a height of 10.5 feet. Empty weight became 3,880lb against an MTOW of 6,550lb.

In 2004 the Model 427i was proposed which involved both South Korea and Japan industries. However, this product was given up in favor of the more promising Model 429. In 2008, the Model 427 line was officially axed by Bell Helicopters after only two foreign customers were secured (Argentine police and a private Czech operator).

The new Iranian PANHA Saba-248 helicopter is believed to be based on the short-lived Bell Model 427. This helicopter is detailed in its own entry elsewhere on this site.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Bell Model 427. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 30 Units

Contractor(s): Bell Helicopter - USA
National flag of Argentina National flag of Czechia

[ Argentina; Czech Republic ]
1 / 1
Image of the Bell Model 427
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Going Further...
The Bell Model 427 Light Twin-Engine Multirole Utility Helicopter appears in the following collections:
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
MODERN AIRCRAFT
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)