Farnborough '98 marks the first public appearance of a production Bell 427 helicopter, displayed on Bell's stand in Hall 4. This particular helicopter first flew in June and has joined two flying prototypes in final certification testing. First customer delivery in scheduled for February. The twin Pratt & Whitney PW207D-powered Model 427 incorporates a new "flat pack" main transmission with direct engine input. The 427 is 13-inches longer than the strong-selling single-engine Bell 407 and has a maximum gross weight of 6,000 pounds. Bell also has a full-scale mock-up of its Model 609 civil tiltrotor on the static line.

By Paul Proctor