In 1988 Bell Helicopter recorded some significant successes, including producing the 4000th Jet Ranger, and delivering the 100,000th helicopter from the Mirabel factory in Montreal, Canada

 Next came the development of an improved variant of a Bell 222, a project wich Began in August 1989. Powered by Allison 250-C30-G2 turbines rated at 700 SHP and increased fueltank capacity of 930 litres. The Bell 230 could offer space for up to 10 passengers.

Two prototypes were built in the Mirabel factory, and the first completed its maiden flight in August 1991, "whereupon" Bell's Japanese distributor in Tokyo ordered 20 Bell 230 for delivery starting August 1992.

Developement work also continued in a different direction, with the aim of converting the Bell 230 for a broad range of millitary and police applications - especially over the open sea. The most importent modification in this version is the radar in the fuselage nose, similar to the system fitted to the Tiger.

Visible differences between the Bell 222 and the Bell 230 are limited to the nose section and the front and rear dome fairings. Naturally we have also incorporated these changes, to enable you to buil this large helicopter true to scale.