Originally designed for the U.S. Army as the Bell YOH-4 helicopter, and subsequently rejected, the two-bladed Bell 206 Jet Ranger was a redesign of the YOH-4, making its first flight on October 20, 1966. After the helicopter’s introduction, the Army chose the Jet Ranger for use as an observational platform, renaming their helicopters OH-58 Kiowas. In January 1968 the U.S. Navy would also pick the newly introduced Jet Ranger as its new primary training helicopter, designating them TH-57 Sea Rangers. In 1993, after years of successful use of the Jet Ranger, Bell Helicopter Company began developing the successor to the 206 Jet Ranger, the Bell 407. The 407 have been used extensively as medivac helicopters, movie making, and for law enforcement. While the Bell 206 Jet Ranger has begun to be replaced with newer craft, it is certainly one of the most recognized helicopters of all time. In total, some 7,300 Bell Jet Rangers have been produced over the lifetime of the helicopter, both for military and civilian use.

The Museum’s TH-57C Sea Ranger is one of two Sea Rangers purchased by the United States Navy in July of 1967 to be used at their Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, (AUTEC) a military facility located on Andros Island in the Bahamas used for simulating all facets of underwater warfare. The other helicopter, green in color, was lost in a squall line about 65 miles south of the main base on the east side of the island of Andros. When retired in 1977, the Museum’s Sea Ranger had amassed more flying hours (22,000 hours) than any other Jet Ranger than in existence. Known as “Little Red,” it was sent to the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida where it was then placed on loan to the Tillamook Air Museum.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type                                   Multi-purpose helicopter

Weight                              1,700 lbs. empty

Length                              39 ft. 8 in.

Height                              9 ft. 4 in.

Powerplant                    One 420 shp Allison 250-C-18 turboshaft

Manufacturer               Bell Helicopter Company

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Speed         140 mph

Cruise speed                136 mph

Range                             430 miles

Service Ceiling            13,200 ft.