Bell Model 214

Medium-Lift Utility Helicopter

United States | 1972

"The Bell Model 214 was yet-another in the long line of offshoots derived from the stellar Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter series."

Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/07/2018 | 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 Helicopter "Huey" medium-lift line proved a huge military and commercial success for the company when it was introduced in 1959 and ultimately proven through combat actions in the Vietnam War (1955-1975). A slew of offshoots then emerged, each owing much to the original brilliant design, and these were taken into service across many public and private sectors including VIP transport, firefighting, Search And Rescue (SAR) and law enforcement. In 1972, another version of the successful rotary-wing product emerged as the Bell Model 214 ("Huey Plus") and, this too, was intended to fulfill the lucrative medium-lift utility role. A first flight was recorded in 1972 and production spanned from 1970 until 1981.

Like other Bell Helicopter variants, the Bell 214 held origins in the Model 205 which was itself a larger, more powerful, form of the Model 204. These were single-engine models with twin-bladed main rotors and tail rotors. The Model 214, however, was flown for the first time with the Lycoming T53-L-702 engine rated at 1,900 horsepower and the production-minded Model 214A switched to the Lycoming LTC4B-8 engine of 2,930 horsepower.

The Model 214A was showcased to the nation of Iran for its army service (to serve as the "Isfahan") and an order for 287 was placed with plans for local production on the part of the Iranians. A fleet of Model 214A/C helicopters (C-models were outfitted for SAR work) was delivered but the Iranian Revolution of 1979 terminated the Iranian local license production aspect of the deal.

The Model 214A featured a crew of one or two seated side-by-side with a capability to shuttle fourteen passengers or six patient litters (or cargo if properly configured). Overall length of the aircraft reached 48 feet with a rotor diameter of 50 feet and a height of 12.9 feet. Empty weight was 7,600lb against an MTOW of 15,000lb with power coming from the Lycoming LTC4B-8D turboshaft engine (2,930 horsepower). Performance included a cruise speed of 162 miles per hour, a range out to 255 miles and a service ceiling up to 16,400 feet.

Bell continued to actively market their Model 214 and revealed the Model 214B "BigLifter" of 1976 based on the Model 214A for civilian sectors. The aircraft came equipped with the Lycoming T5508D of 2,930 horsepower and intended for heavier-duty hauling service. Seventy were built to this standard. The Model 214B-1 was based in the Model 214B but restricted to a 12,500 gross weight.

The Model 214 did not prove as popular as other Bell Helicopter entries for, beyond the Iranian military, it only found homes in the Army of Ecuador and in the air forces of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Fewer than thirty are thought to be active today (2017).

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Bell Model 214 Medium-Lift Utility Helicopter.

1 x Lycoming LTC4B-8D turboshaft engine developing 2,930 horsepower and driving a two-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor.
Propulsion

162 mph
260 kph | 140 kts
Max Speed

16,404 ft
5,000 m | 3 miles
Service Ceiling

295 miles
475 km | 256 nm
Operational Range

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Bell Model 214 Medium-Lift Utility Helicopter.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

48.1 ft
14.65 m
O/A Length

50.0 ft
(15.25 m)
O/A Width

12.8 ft
(3.90 m)
O/A Height

7,595 lb
(3,445 kg)
Empty Weight

13,669 lb
(6,200 kg)
MTOW

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Bell Model 214 family line.

Model 214 - Base Series Designation

Model 214 "Huey Plus" - Prototype model fitted with Lycoming T53-L-270 turboshaft engine of 1,900 horsepower.

Model 214A "Isfahan" - Iranian Army model

Model 214C "Isfahan" - Iranian Army model outfitted for Search and Rescue sorties.

Model 214B "BigLifter" - Heavy-duty model with Lycoming T5508D turboshaft engine of 2,930 horsepower.

Model 214B-1 - Model 214B with 12,500 gross weight restriction.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Bell Model 214. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 400 Units
Contractor(s): Bell Helicopter - USA

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

[ Ecuador (retired); Iran; Oman (retired); United Arab Emirates ]

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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.

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Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.

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Going Further...
The Bell Model 214 Medium-Lift Utility Helicopter appears in the following collections:

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