| In 1955 the US Army wanted a multi-purpose utility helicopter so the Bell 204 was reduced maintenance; lowered operating cost and fuel consumption. The AB 204B was produced under license in Italy by Augusta from 1961 to 1974. Augusta replaced the standard 204 engine with a Rolls-Royce Gnome engine. The only real exterior difference is the exhaust on the AB-204B points sideways instead of to the rear. The Royal Netherlands Navy (Koninklijke Marine) received 8 Augusta-Bell 204B helicopters between June 1962 – July 1963. They were assigned to MLD (Marineluchtvaartdienst, Naval Air Service) 7 squadron and used in SAR/comm roles. In March 1978 the AB204Bs were withdrawn from service and sold. Serial number 225 eventually went to Sweden where it was used for spare parts. In 2001-2002 #225 and #220 were returned to the Netherland Military Aviation Museum where #225 was fully restored using parts from #220. Data for the AB-204B Weight Maximum take off weight - 8510 lb (3860 kg) Empty weight - 4850 lb (2200 kg) Weight with crew (3 men) - 5379 lb (2440 kg) and full tank (625 l) 6504 lb (2950 kg) Maximum additional load with 3 men Crew and full tank - 2061 lb (935 kg) Range with full tanks - 8510 lb (3860 kg) take-off weight 179 miles (288 km) Maximum speed - 134.2 mph (216 km/h) Cruising speed - 89.48 mph (144 km/h) Tail rotor Diameter - 8.5 ft (2.59 m) Flapping axis - +/- 8° Tail rotor number of revolutions - 1650 RPM Blade tip speed - 501.7 mph (807.4 km/h) Dimensions Main rotor diameter - 48 ft (14.63 m) Length - 57.05 ft (17.39 m) Height - 12.37 ft (3.77 m) Clearance - 1.11 ft (0.34 m) Skid track width - 8.37 ft (2.55 m) Skid length -10.93 ft (3.33 m) Carrying capacities Troop seats - 8 Stretchers and seats - 3+4 Rescue hoist traction power - 595.2 lb (270 kg) Loading hook max. - 3968 lb (1800 kg) GNOMES H-1200 MK-610 engine (2 wheel turbine) Reduction Gearboxshaft output: - max. (1 hour limit) 1215 HP - max. continuous 1020 HP |
Hobby Master 1/72 Helicopter Air Power Series HH1005 - Augusta-Bell AB-204B, Royal Dutch Navy "225" LIMITED EDITION |

| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINAL MODEL |