Also known as the Griffin. Similar to the Bell 212 but featuring a foldable 4-bladed rotor of composite construction. Powered by a PWC PT6T-3B-1 Twin Pac engine giving 1310HP. Includes crash-hardened landing gear, seats and fuel tanks plus features for ease of maintenance away from base. Carries up to 6 stretchers with medical personnel in CASEVAC role and up to 14 passengers seated.
Design work began in Autumn 1978 with first deliveries early in 1981. Several versions available. 412SP (Special Performance) with more fuel and greater take-off weight, 412HP (High Performance) with an improved transmission system, the re-engined 412EP (Enhanced Performance) with a PT6T-3D powerplant and redundant flight systems, a 412EP maritime version known as the Sentinel and a 412AH Attack version with an under-nose gun turret. Over 500 individual units sold by 1998.
The 412 was also assembled in Indonesia as the IPTN NB412 and Agusta in Italy built several variants since January 1981.
By 2021, after forty years in service, the more than 1,100 Bell 412 built in 11 different variants logged over 6.5 million flight hours.
By 2021, after forty years in service, the more than 1,100 Bell 412 built in 11 different variants logged over 6.5 million flight hours.
Derivatives & Versions
| → AB412 | 1981 | |
| 412SP | 1985 | |
| 412HP | 1991 | High performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BG or PT6T-3D engines |
| 412EP | 1994 | The Enhanced Performance variant has a PT6T-3D powerplant and redundant flight systems. |
| CH-146 Griffon | 1994 | 100 Bell 412CF built in Canada for the Armed Forces in 2 configurations: Combat Support Squadron (CSS) for SAR (painted yellow) and and the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH) |
| → UH-1Y Venom | 2001 | The Bell 450 was part of the Marines H-1 upgrade program to remanufacture the existing fleet of UH-1N utility helicopters into an advanced configuration featuring common engines and flight dynamics with the newly developed AH-1Z Viper. |
| 412LUH | 2005 | Bell entry for the US Army LUH Light Utility Helicopter competition. |
| 412EPi | 2013 | First introduced in March 2013, improves the Bell 412EP helicopter with the Bell BasiX Pro fully integrated glass flight deck. |
| 412EPX | 2017 | Based on the Bell 412EPi, the 412EPX was developed for Japan’s UH-X competition. |