In follow-up to Speedy's post:
More 214 ..
The original development of the Model 214 was announced by Bell in 1970 under the name "Huey Plus". The first prototype was based on a Bell 205 airframe equipped with a Lycoming T53-L-702 engine producing 1,900shp.
The first 214A demonstration prototype followed and was evaluated in Iran during field exercises with the Iranian Armed Forces. The trial was judged successful and an order for 287 214A helicopters followed. The intention was that these aircraft would be constructed by Bell in their Dallas, Fort Worth facility and that a further 50 214A's and 350 Bell 214ST helicopters would then be built in Iran. In the event 296 214A models and 39 214C models were delivered before the Iranian Revolution ended the plans for Iranian production.
Similar in size and appearance to the Bell 205 and Bell 212, the Bell 214 used a single, more powerful Lycoming LTC4B-8 engine 2,930shp/2,185kW and upgraded rotor system giving it a formidable lifting capacity and good performance at high temperatures and high altitudes. It can be identified by its single large exhaust port, wide chord rotor blades and a rotorhub without stabiliser bars.
Bell offered a civilian variant of this aircraft known as the 214B "BigLifter". It received certification in 1976 and was produced until 1981. Powered by a 2,930 shp/2,183kW Lycoming T5508D turboshaft, it has the same rotor drive and transmission system as the 214A. The transmission was rated at 2,050shp/1,528kW for take-off, with a maximum continuous power rating of 1,850shp/1,379kW. The BigLifter featured an advanced rotor hub with elastomeric bearings; an automatic flight control system with stability augmentation; and up-graded (for that time) avionics.
The first production Model 214A (c/n 27004) was taken in charge by the Iran Imperial Army Aviation (IIAA) on 26 April, 1975. Three days later, on 29 April, this aircraft, with Maj. Gen. Manouchehr Khosrowdad (Commander of the IIAA) and Clem Bailey (Bell's Assistant Chief Production Test Pilot) at the controls, established five new world records in the FAI Class E-1e.
The helicopter reached a maximum altitude of 9070m/29,757ft and sustained a horizontal altitude of 9010m/29,560ft for 30 seconds.
It also climbed to 3000m/9,842ft in 1min 58sec; to 6000m/19,685ft in 5min 13.2sec and to 9000m/29,527ft in 15min 05sec.
Some of the more than 300 214's delivered to the Imperial Army Aviation unit of Iran. Chooks also present (Photo: Meghdad Madadi)
Iranian Army 214's coming in to land
Iranian Army Bell 214A 6-4865 landing at Zahedan Airport on 9th June 2009 (Photo A. Mahgoli)