Bell Ceasing Production of 206, 427,430 and 210.

[EN48]

"That's easy - T shirts, ball caps and coffee mugs."

This strategy seems to have worked very well for Harley Davidson. Who knows?

[aldee]

I think you'll find H-D's success goes a bit deeper than that.....

Nothing to do with marketing a product people want at a price they'll pay?

But hey, it'll be sad if Bell goes the way of the dinasaurs

[EN48]

"I think you'll find H-D's success goes a bit deeper than that.....

Nothing to do with marketing a product people want at a price they'll pay?"

Not much deeper. Their bikes are mostly 1938 technology chrome plated and polished. I was told that a very significant fraction of HD revenue comes from the sale of other than motorcycles - hats, jackets, "accessories" , etc.

I grant that HD are marketing masters - making people want bikes that were eclipsed in quality and performance by the rice burners and euro bikes decades ago (IMHO of course). Go figure!

I dont think that Bell will be going away soon. If you havent tried the 407, give it a whirl - a most impressive helicopter.

[Helomaniac]

Equal looks

The 407 is a gorgeous ship but the 206 is equally as gorgeous and much more affordable and convienient to hangar. Each ship has it's own purpose and each does it well. They are not meant to be apples to apples comparable. Bell is dropping the ball again (like with the 47) and exiting what could be a very lucrative market for them. Too bad they can't see that . Good luck in Texas and say hello to Master Roger @ LEB for me, thanks.

[parabellum]

I'm more than a bit out of touch these days but what about Augusta, will they continue with the AB206 or was that scrubbed long ago?

My memories of the 206 are that is was the only aircraft I flew that had a full blooded engine failure in flight and a complete failure of the left front wind screen in flight, otherwise it was nice to fly!!

[EN48]

"the 206 is equally as gorgeous and much more affordable and convienient to hangar. "

No doubt the 206 is a classic that will have a well deserved high place in helicopter history. It seems however, that the market has spoken, with production numbers now down to around 15-20 units annually IIRC. Perhaps the design could be refreshed to give it new life - a little more payload and cabin room, a little more power, composite rotor system, but that's pretty much the 407, which seems to be in considerably higher demand. When I hear the word "helicopter" the 206 is the image that comes to mind, and I am sure its the same for many others.

[TukTuk BoomBoom]

Yeah and the other thing about Bell quitting 206 production is the resale value of existing JetRangers will now go through the roof!
Who's going to get the last one ever??
What happened to the 427, is that the shortest production run ever for bell??
As for the 430, big deal but the 210 looked like a good ship and a realistic way to get your ex miltary UH-1 certified, no dodgy TC, just a bit expensive..which is not the reason people buy UH-1s.
The Astars Ok but not with the Turbomeca engine, crap support and costs a fortune for modules and FCUs ( if you can get them ).
Good to hear they are sticking with the 412, good ship that, and bring back the 212 i say!

You wait.. those tiny, delicate Army EC145s will last about five minutes on the job then it will be back to the 412s as it should have been from the start.......

[EN48]

The 206 will probably soldier on for another 40 years, becoming the helicopter equivalent of the DC-3. Probably plenty of parts out there, and enough airframes to make a business out of making parts if necessary.

[Tango and Cash]

TukTuk BoomBoom,

427 production run of something around 70 airframes is still almost double the 230's run of less than 40. And the 210 will probably be the shortest of all with 2 delivered so far. A far cry from the 10,000+ Hueys back in the 60s and 70s.

Tango

[Buitenzorg]

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.

[skiddriver]

Still producing the 206L4?

When I read that article is only says that 206B3 production is ceasing. It doesn't mention the L4, though one of you may have additional info on that model.

[Encyclo]

The Bell 206L-4 is not one of the models that is being "retired".

[Twin-star]

Customer service

Having owned and loved several 206's this is a sad day, especially when it comes to getting parts. Although not the perfect machine by today’s standards they were a dream in terms of support.

If only Eurocopter would learn from Bell, we run four AS355's and Eurocopter have yet to grasp what AOG means in terms of support...

[rotornut]

Why Bell is dropping the 206

This is from the March/April 2008 print edition of Helicopters magazine at p. 18. The article is entitled Shattering Records in Houston HAI Convention 2008:

Mike Blake, VP of customer solutions, said the Jetranger was dropped largely because the company didn't need two entry-level helicopters and the L4 would fill the gaps. Frank Robinson's hotly anticipated turbine-powered R66 and other competitors have slashed 206 series sales for years and it is time to trim the market losers.

[ericferret]

I wonder if Eagle getting certification for their conversion of the 212 from a twin to a single with a T53 has caused the 210 to be dropped. Anybody know what one of the converted 212's costs?