tottigol,
that’s got to be the first time in years that “helicopters” and “introducing a lot of new technology” have been used in a sentence describing Bell!
As for the 412, after 1400 hours in it I’m more convinced than ever that it’s a perfect example of what’s wrong with Bell – a modification of a modification of a … of a 50’s design that was great back then. Exactly what is to be expected when one puts all one’s (R&D) eggs in one (tiltrotor) basket, chasing the big military bucks.
If Agusta and Eurocopter ever get their customer support sorted (some hopes, I agree) then Bell will go out of the civilian helicopter business. Damn shame, but there it is.