One thing you need to know about the Huey II...it is not type certificated in the United States, or any other country as of the present date, and Bell has no interest in gaining approval for this ship in commercial operations...
Bell developed the modifications for foreign military sales...so the only folks in the states that can use the "Huey II" are public service types that operate the ships in the "public service" category. Don't think they can be approved for commercial use in Europe or the UK.
There are upgrades available for 205A1's to incorporate these changes....the ship becomes a 205B after you incorporate a long list of STC's that bring the ship up to a similar configuration as the "Huey II".
Bell needs to go evaluate each 205 and give their blessing on the upgrade to the 205B model configuration after the incorporation of the non Bell STC's, and additional airframe upgrades referenced in Bell service bulletins.....
Another interesting point..the original "Huey II" installed a 212 style nose assembly on the front of the helicopter...so the ballast weight for the added equipment in the tail would be moved further forward, affording less dead weight installed...looks like the ship in the picture skipped this mod....
As of this date, Bell will not support any type certificated former military Huey...they only support the ones the public service agencies use....unless they are type certificated of course....
Go ahead...call up Bell and ask about the availability of the Huey II upgrade for a restricted catagory UH-1H Helicopter....you get the courtesy dial tone real fast.....
[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: rotormatic ]