“New Dimensions in Military Mobility” is a promotional film for the Bell 204B helicopter. It opens with the image of an army tanker of the 47th Regiment (:14) and men scouting another tank riding through woods (:33). The decades focused on will be the 50’s and 60’s and as the 60’s approached they expected to see an emphasis on different nations’ abilities to function in a limited warfare sense (1:03). Success for each nation depended on tactics and mobility (1:23). The helicopter had become the key to mobility (1:27) and this is where we see the Bell 204 B Helicopter. The title screen appears at (1:36) and this film had been produced by Bell Helicopters Co. (1:43). An animated map displays how after WW2’s end, hundreds of small conflicts erupted and these are shown by lit up areas on the map (1:54). The only areas that seemed to remain untouched were within the super powers of the world (2:16). Most of the fighting was occurring in underdeveloped areas (2:31). The film turns back to the troops in the woods as the consistent factors in this type of warfare include; mobility, firepower, reconnaissance and logistical support (2:42). From here we will take a look at the 204 B’s ability to comply with each of these (2:56). Three of these choppers are seen hovering and their greatest contribution was mobility (3:07). One is seen kicking up sand from the desert floor (3:13), another is flying through mountain ranges (3:21), and another is touching the ground in the snow (3:21). A view from within looking out at the Alps is given (3:47). A significant attribute of its mobility capabilities was that it was easily transported by air as it is loaded into a plane and can be taken anywhere in the world (4:05). Also, as one 204 B hovers above trees for concealment, it was easy for this aircraft to drop men and weapons where ever they would be of best use (4:14). Firepower will always be of utmost importance and these came equipped with exterior machine guns (4:55) as well as 20-millimeter gatling guns. The helicopter had highly controlled methods of strafing which are demonstrated against a mountain ridge (5:11). It enabled various rocket installations to be mounted (5:20) and one is fired off (5:28). The 204 B was also an asset in reconnaissance because of its mobility at variable speeds (5:44). A jeep is lifted from the ground for transport (6:13) as well as a rocket launcher (6:36). Capable of lifting 2 tons, it also came with a quick release hook (6:36). A hole in the fuselage enabled the aircraft to carry a load while keeping it centered so as not to affect handling in flight (6:48). Evacuation of wounded is of utmost importance and here the 204 B performed well with it’s broad sliding doors (7:39). Men are seen at work on the turbine engine which could be changed in a matter of minutes (8:21). Quick disconnects were snapped off easily (8:23) and intricate shut off valves which retained fluid flow as the lines were disconnected, made it so the engine would not have to be drained (8:27). The maintenance hoist and working platform enabled complete in field maintenance (8:59). The Lycoming turbine engine (9:04) was able to take automotive or aviation gasoline or even kerosene, and this was ideal in remote locations. Strict testing including over five years and more than 1,200 hours of test flights reported in 31 separate programs validated this machine as a multi mission helicopters (9:39). A water tower appears with Bell Helicopters on it (10:06). The film draws to it’s end with a reminder that these were crafted for military as well as economic efficiency (10:20). Just before the end title screen a man parachutes out from the helicopter (11:44).

The Bell 204 and 205 are the civilian versions of the UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopter of the Huey family of helicopters. They are type-certificated in the transport category and are used in a wide variety of applications, including crop dusting, cargo lifting and aerial firefighting.

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