Bell 212 1:7 – Fuselage Kit

The “small Bell 212” from VARIO is a 800 size scale helicopter. You can power this remote-controlled model helicopter with gasoline (benzin), turbine or electric propulsion. Bell Helicopter is the creator of the man-carrying version.

For VARIO’s 800 Bell 212 we recommend a maximum main rotor speed of 1270 rpm (B, E), bzw. 1350 rpm (T). Electric drive sets from VARIO are already tuned to this head speed.

Select one of the following drive types:

Benzin Mechanics

The benefit of a gasoline helicopter is a robust, easy-to-use engine for long flight times. The fuel is available at every petrol station (2-stroke mix). Kit Ord.No. 2120 contains the bulkheads for the gasoline mechanics. If the engine noise in flight does not disturb you, you will enjoy this classic drive system for model making.

Turbine Mechanics JetCat PHT2 (mechanics and turbine)

left hand rotation

main rotor speed 1400 rpm

Incl. main rotor shaft Ø 10 mm for 2 blade rotor head

The Bell 212 fuselage kit for JetCat PHT2 can be ordered with Ord.No. 2125.

The turbine version fascinates by the smell of kerosene, a gently starting rotor, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a turbine. Until the electrical power revolution in radio controlled model construction, turbines were the most powerful drives. In terms of flight times, turbines are still superior to electro-flight.

Electric Mechanics 1002/82

Our propulsion recommendation for this helicopter! Contemporary mechanics, especially designed for the scale model electric flight. The mounting points in the fuselage are identical to those of the petrol engine. Therefore, the mechanics can be used in almost all kits that also fit the petrol mechanics of VARIO (in this case Ord.No. 2120). Electric motors are quiet, low in vibration, without exhaust gases and residual thrust. The blade slap noise of the rotor blades is more noticeable than with other types of propulsion and the result is a true-to-life impression in flight. For this electromechanical system you can choose between two drive sets: for 10S or 12S LiPos.

Electric conversion of the Benzin mechanics

Use kit Ord.No. 2120 for conversions of the petrol mechanics to electric motor drive. The strong and rigid aluminum side frames from the petrol mechanics are very suitable for the powerful electric motors being used in model helicopters today. Electric motors provide very quiet operation with low vibration, and no exhaust gases or oily mess to clean up. Model flights are much more realistic without the noise of the petrol engine, and the electric drive is so quiet that even the sound of the rotor blades can be heard in flight. Electric conversions are easy to accomplish using the suitable VARIO drive sets to achieve the optimum system speed for the 90:18 ratio. You may choose between 10S or 12S LiPo battery cells when selecting the conversion drive set that will be right for you.

Skyfox-Electric Mechanics

The Skyfox mechanics is a classic, VARIO original product. Where glow plug nitro engines used to be, today a small, powerful electric motor drives your rotorcraft. Skyfox, that stands for lightness as it is desired in electric flight resulting in longer flight times. The kit with Ord.No. 2130 contains the frames for the Skyfox mechanics. You can choose between two Skyfox drive sets: for 6S or 10S LiPos.

X-Treme-Electric Mechanics

Light and torsion-resistant electro-mechanics derived from the proven variant for nitro based fuels. The purple anodised aluminium elements are characteristic of this model. Kit Ord.No. 2130 is intended for the installation of these mechanics. Drive sets for 10S and 12S LiPos are available.

T-Rex version

Kit Ord.No. 2127 is adapted to the T-Rex 700 mechanics (until vintage 2011 / version DFC / DFC-Dominator). For later versions from November 2016 onwards, the supplementary set Ord.No. 307/100 is required. If you are planning to buy a new mechanical system, please choose the variant 700L V2, but we recommend a VARIO mechanism due to the speed. You have the option of converting the T-Rex rotor head to a true-to-life 2-blade rotor head.

To achieve the proper center of gravity (CG), the batteries are located in the forward area of this model; this will limit the options for a scale-type cockpit.

If you want to revise the rotor direction to clockwise per the full size helicopter, please note that clockwise rotor blades should be ordered, the 5 mm diameter flex shaft for clockwise rotation needs to be specified when ordering the kit, and T-Rex drive couplings MUST be fitted with the supplied safety pins!

Modifications for T-Rex up to 2011

Benzin propulsion option – Build suggestion

First build a VARIO petrol trainer (Ord.No. 8311) in the pod and boom configuration and fly, later install the mechanics in your scale fuselage. Advantage: You buy the mechanics components at a reasonable price and can learn the flying characteristics of the Benzin Trainer. The trainer mechanics can be built into all kits for gasoline mechanics or the electric mechanics Ord.No. 1002/80 and 1002/82.

If you exchange the Benzin Trainer’s 2-blade head to a multi-blade scale head, the reduction ratio must be adjusted. It is an easy conversion and the VARIO support network is always available to assist with the change.

The Bell 212 is based on the Bell 205, but has 2 turbines. Thanks to the second turbine, the Bell 212 is able to fly at high temperatures and at higher altitudes. The revolutionary thing about this new helicopter was the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin-Pac, made up of two coupled PT6 power turbines driving a common gearbox.