Design Classics - Bell 222

 

In these days of design awareness, every walk of life has its so-called design classics: an item which, for whatever reason, is sufficiently close to perfection to warrant little or no tinkering.

The world of aviation is particularly fertile in instances of such conceptual perfection: for example, the sturdy, practical good looks of the Douglas DC3/ Dakota, and the breathtaking beauty of Concorde, to mention but two. The helicopter world can also boast a number of examples that, apart from minor adjustments and developments, have achieved a combination of pleasing appearance and suitability for purpose that would certainly qualify them for inclusion in any Helicopter Hall of Fame.

In this category must be included the Bell 222. Announced by Bell Helicopters in 1974, to an eager market at the annual Helicopter Association of America convention, the 222 was a mid-sized twin-engined aircraft aimed both at offshore operations, in which its cabin could accommodate eight passengers and two crew in a utility configuration, and at the VIP executive charter role, for which the interior could be customised to carry 5 or 6 passengers in opulent luxury...