R-01 Agusta Bell AB-412SP c/n 25630 - Royal Netherlands Air Force - Leeuwarden AFB, Holland - 4 October 1994

The Agusta-Bell AB.412SP is a 15-seat medium lift utility helicopter with a radius of 650 km, powered by a 1800shp PT6T-3B Turbo Twin-Pac made up of two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3B turboshaft engines linked through a combining gearbox. The Bell Model 412 program was announced on 8 September 1978 as a development of the Bell Model 212 (UH-1N). The helicopter is basically a Bell 212 fitted with a new composite four-blade rotor. The first Bell 412 helicopter was a modified 212 that flew first in August 1979. The certification of the Model 412 followed in January 1981, the first deliveries were done in the same month. The helicopter is produced under license in Italy by Augusta as the AB-412 and in Indonesia by IPTN as the NBell 412. Bell built the helicopter in Canada for the Canadian Armed Forces as the CH-146 Griffon. The Model 412SP (Special Performance) flew first in 1985 and features increased fuel capacity, higher takeoff weight and more optional seating arrangements. Over 420 helicopters of the Model 412 were built.

In October 1992, the Dutch Government ordered 3 Agusta-Bell AB412SP as a replacement for the remaining 4 Alouette III helicopters of the SAR Flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Deliveries of the Agusta Bell AB-412SP R-01 (s/n 25630), R-02 (s/n 25638) and R-03 (s/n 25641) started in 1993. Agusta Bell AB-412SP R-01 was handed over on 11 November 1993 and arrived on delivery at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands on 4 March 1994. The AB-412SP is used for Search and Rescue-tasks, including emergency assistance for the Friesian Isles. This medevac-task means that the helicopter is used for emergency transport of persons from the Isles to the hospitals on the mainland. In 1998 the SAR Flight was renamed 303 squadron. On behalf of their yellow colour the helicopters received the nickname "Tweety".