"Rat nose" BWAAAHAHAH. You got that right, Tickle! How did Bell come up with that monstrosity? I guess all of those old 206 designers must have either retired or died.
Originally Posted by
RVDT
IMHO it's more like a re-invented 47J than a 206.
I always thought the 505 was just a Soloy J-model with an extra seat. A *fuglier* R-66 if that is even possible (and it almost isn't). Perhaps that's why the 505 has been sloooooow to penetrate the U.S. commercial market. (I wonder if Bell actually dreamed that it would, given the history of the EC120?) Even if its economics are incredible, the 505 still has zero ramp appeal. It's like having a brother with a huge neck goiter: You may love him but you really don't like to look at him. Or like having a *really* homely wife who's great in bed. "Hey honey? How's about wearing that Casper-The-Friendly-Ghonst costume again tonight! Oh, and let's leave the light off again, eh?"