The Agusta-Bell AB.206B2 JetRanger II is a 5-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Rolls Royce Allison 250-C20
turbine engine. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat
turbine-powered light observation helicopter. After evaluation, three designs were selected
and 5 of each: the Bell OH-4A; the Hiller OH-5 and the Hughes OH-6, were ordered for trials
by the U.S.Army Aviation Board. The prototype of this Model 206 made its first flight on 8 December 1962.
However the Bell OH-4A didn't win the competition, the helicopter was a success as the Bell 206
Jet Ranger. The prototype of this five-seat commercial model, the Bell 206A JetRanger N8590F, flew on
10 January 1966. Bell received FAA certification for the helicopter on 20 October 1966, and deliveries
of the Model 206A powered by a 317 shp Allison C18A engine, started in January 1967. In the early 1970s,
production switched to the Model 206B JetRanger II with a 400 shp 250-C20 turboshaft. Next to this commercial
success the Jet Ranger entered after all also the military scene: the Bell 206 Jet Ranger was ordered in 1962
by the US Navy as the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Due to the higher unit price and significant deliver delays on the
original winner of the 1961 U.S.Army competition for a light observation helicopter, the Hughes OH-6, the
U.S. Army reopened in 1968 the light observation helicopter (LOH) bidding. This time Bell was the winner
and an initial order for 2200 OH-58A Kiowa, a military version of the Model 206A followed. Deliveries
of the OH-58A helicopters began in May 1969. The Model 206 was built under license by Agusta
in Italy as the AB.206 Jet Ranger. More than 4800 206Bs and 1700 206Ls have been produced since the
introduction of the 206A JetRanger on 13 January 1967, when the first two production aircraft were delivered to customers.
Since, Bell has delivered five different generations of the commercial 206 with its 206A/B JetRangers and 206L/L1/L3/L4
LongRangers. Production of the Bell 206B3 JetRanger ended in 2011; production of the Bell 206L4 LongRanger IV ended in
June 2017. At the end, the Bell 206 aircraft were produced at Bell Helicopter's facility in Mirabel, Canada. The ICAO Aircraft
Type Designator with Wake Category used to classify aircraft types for the Bell 206L helicopters is B06.
Agusta-Bell 206B Jet Ranger II s/n 8076 was built in 1968 as an AB-206A Jet Ranger and registered G-AWLL in the UK with Sir Robert McAlpine
and Sons Limited, Aviation Division, Luton Airport, on 5 July 1968. The helicopter was upgraded to an AB-206B Jet Ranger II and registered
as such on 25 November 1977. In 1993, the G-AWLL was sold in Holand and the registration was cancelled on 31 August 1993. Registration PH-HXH
was reserved for this helicopter on 2 June 1993, but the aircraft was registered PH-HWH with Heli-Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 3
September 1993. On 6 March 2018, registration PH-HWH was cancelled with as reason: more then 1 year without valid airworthiness. On 8 January
2021, Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II PH-HWH was restored to the Dutch aviation register. On 22 August 2009, Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II
PH-HWH was seen at the temporary airfield near Buurse. This airfield was created just for one day a year in behalf of the Vliegshow Buurse,
the former anual airshow in Buurse.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
