B47- what if it weren't Bell restarting the line? Sure, if Bell were going to do it, a "simple" 47 could cost as much as a 206. So it cannot be Bell. But what if it was another company...perhaps in a location that could take advantage of lower labor and material costs? I have heard that most of the major issues have been solved (including the engine, which is simply astounding).
The biggest question will be: How many orders will it take to restart the line; and then how many ships per year must you sell to keep it going? My feeling is that Bell will not do this deal for a singlular ten- or twenty-ship run. You can be sure that numbers are being crunched heavily as we speak.
Total purchase price is probably not a huge issue; you can get financing for anything these days. Direct operating cost will be the determining factor in whether the 47 can compete with the R-44 as a trainer (given Frank's reported preference for phasing out the R-22 and using the 4-seater for primary).
In the helicopter industry in general, the 47 is perceived as a "real" helicopter while the R-22 is looked at as a "training" helicopter (and not even that, according to Frank's original intent). Will the numbers work? Will the reintroduction of the 47 signal a switch by flight schools *back* to it and away from the R-22? Holy cow, what's next, a reintroduction of the Hiller 12C? The Sikorsky S-51?
Stay tuned!