Ah well TRC that's why you are there .. to sort-out those odd moments when we have a bit of finger trouble!
The Bell YOH-4A
As most would know - the origins of the ubiquitous JetRanger are to be found in Bell's YOH-4, a prototype created in response to the US Army's request for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) and which request was issued on 14th October 1960.
In May 1965 Howard Hughes' YOH-6 (later to become known as just the OH-6) won the competition whereupon Bell set-out to redesign their 'OH-4' with potential civilian sales in mind.
In addition to the image problem (the craft had gained the nickname "The Ugly Duckling" during the US Army fly-offs) the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped quarters for the planned three passengers in the back.
The solution was a fuselage redesigned to be more sleek and aestheticly appealing, adding 16 cubic feet (0.45 m3) of cargo space in the process. The redesigned aircraft was designated as the Bell 206A with then Bell President, Edwin J. Ducayet, naming the craft the "JetRanger" denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger.
Bell's first 206A mock-up (1965) - note the drop-down baggage door
Just months after losing-out in the US Army LOH fly-offs, Bell wheeled-out a mock-up of the redesigned YOH-4 (now the 206A above) and which redesign was to become the 'face' of light civilian helicopter operations for the better part of three decades.
A boot 'to boot'!
The 206A's 'spacious' boot
Keen to demonstrate (especially to the Army) the 206's new luggage capacity/cargo store, Bell sent them the above photo!
In 1969 the US Army re-opened the LOH contract because of a failure by the Hughes Tool Co. to meet its promised production quota whereupon Bell submitted its now redeisgned and redesignated 206A.
The improvements to the original YOH-4 as well as the small matter of under-bidding Hughes, ensured that the 206 won the re-tendered contract. The 206 was reallocated as the OH-58 and picked-up the name 'Kiowa' in the tradition of the US Army naming their craft after native North American tribes.
The Kiowa has been in continuous use by the US Army since 1969.
US Army OH-58 Kiowa