Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell 204
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1956–1980
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
11
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1956
- Service Entry Year1959
- Crew1
- Passengers10
- Primary RoleUtility transport
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine TypeLycoming T53-L-09A turboshaft
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)820 kW
- Transmission Rating820 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationSingle main rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter14.63 m
- Main Rotor Blades2
- Anti-Torque TypeTail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed220 km/h
- Cruise Speed205 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)230 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,910 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,840 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,900 m
- Range500 km
- Ferry Range600 km
- Rate of Climb8.9 m/s
- Endurance240
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length12.65 m
- Height4.42 m
- Rotor Disc Area168.1
- Empty Weight2,085 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight3,880 kg
- Useful Load1,795 kg
- Cabin Volume6.23
◆Armament & Mission4MOD.4
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload1,500 kg
- GunNone
- Sling Load Capacity1,500 kg
▤Production1MOD.1
- Variants4
⬢Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1956
- Production End1980
- Operational StatusLimited civil use; mostly military derivatives
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1956Production started
- 1980Production ended
70
years in service
24
years in production
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries5country
05 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
115UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS11EARLY COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS1222UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS39PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📚 Sources