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Bell 204/205
Photo: Alan Radecki · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
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Bell204/205

Utility / Transport Helicopters · United States · 1959
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Bell204/205

Bell 204/205
Bell 204/205 Photo: Alan Radecki · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload / Capacity
75
Range
60
Versatility
80
Reliability
85
Speed
65
Survivability
50
Hot-and-High Performance
60
Maintainability
80
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin United States
ManufacturerBell Textron
CategoryUtility / Transport Helicopters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1980
Operators8 countries
Quantity12,000
Data Quality88%
70
Utility / Transport Helicopters MASS Rating
5/42
Early Cold War
68/208
All-Time
Utility / Transport Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Payload / Capacity
75
Range
60
Versatility
80
Reliability
85
Speed
65
Survivability
50
Hot-and-High Performance
60
Maintainability
80
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell 204/205
Prime contractor
Production
1959–1980
Quantity
12,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
95
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
70
utility / transport helicopters category
ⓘ 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
  • Passengers14
  • Primary RoleUtility transport
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
  • Engine TypeLycoming T53-L-11A
  • 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 Speed222.221 km/h
  • Cruise Speed205 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)230 km/h
  • Service Ceiling5,910.072 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,840 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,835 m
  • Range511 km
  • Ferry Range660 km
  • Rate of Climb8.9 m/s
  • Endurance240
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length12.497 m
  • Height4.42 m
  • Rotor Disc Area168.1
  • Empty Weight2,300 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight4,309 kg
  • Useful Load2,009 kg
  • Cabin Volume6.23
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
▲Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built12,000
  • Variants212
◎Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1956
  • Production End1980
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1959Production started
  2. 1980Production ended
67
years in service
21
years in production
12,000
units produced
8
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
A mechanical device used to lift personnel or cargo via a cable, typically mounted on helicopters for rescue or recovery operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Utility / Transport Helicopters entry →