Bell 204

In 1955, the Model 204 was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the requirement of the United States Army for a multipurpose utility rotorcraft. The design of the Model 204 was a great leap by the company being among the first helicopters to be fitted with a turboshaft engine.

The engine thoroughly enhanced the practicability of the Model 204 because of its lesser weight and greater power-to-weight ratio, reduced consumption of fuel, and cost-efficiency in terms of operations and maintenance. The engine enabled the helicopter to bear a useful load on comparable ranges and fair speeds, which made the Bell 204 the most successful western helicopter family in the matter of production.

In 1961, the Model 204B, a civil version was first delivered. The later Model 205A-1 is correspondent to the UH-1H Iroquois. In 1967, more than sixty Model 204Bs were delivered.

Bell 204 has various versions such as the Bell 204B which is a civil or military transport helicopter fitted with T53-09A Lycoming engine. It can accommodate up to a maximum of ten passengers and has a maximum weight of 3,855 kg. The Agusta-Bell AB 204 is a civil or military utility transport, license-built by Agusta in Italy. The Fuji-Bell 204B-2 is license-built by Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan and was in service with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.

The helicopter has an external length of 12.7 meters, a height of 4.5 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 2.4 meters. The main rotor diameter is 15 meters while the main rotor area is 168 square meters. The Lycoming T53-L-11A turboshaft engine produces a maximum thrust of 1,100 shaft horsepower. It has a maximum speed of 120 knots, a cruise speed of 111 knots, and a travel range of 300 nautical miles. It can fly up to 19,390 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,755 feet per minute. The maximum payload is 2,120 kg and the fuel capacity is 242 gallons.