We’ve speculated on what Bell is doing, and we ran this story on HeliHub.com recently detailing some of the trademark applications Bell have made.  But more news comes in, thanks to a tip-off from local newspaper the Dallas Fort Worth Star-Telegram (affectionally known as the Startle-gram… ) of some further trademark applications.

In particular, the “525 Relentless“, and to back this up (screenshot below), a new website at http://www.bellonamission.com/ which includes a teaser video with the “R” (for Relentless) logo above and the text “Don’t miss the most exciting product reveal at HELI-EXPO 2012. Join us at 11:30 a.m. on 2.12.12 at booth #9846. And be one of the first to experience just how relentless we are about listening to customers.”

Money seems to be on a competitor to the AgustaWestland AW189 which has a gross weight of 8000kg, but some market observers are sceptical of Bell’s chances of success at a new civilian helicopter when it has shown relatively little prowess in the civil market for 20 years.

HeliHub.com has also heard some concerns from Canada at the new model – specifically around the confirmation from Bell that the new model will be built in Texas after they previously committed all civil helicopter construction will be done at their Canadian plant at Mirabel, Quebec.

Let’s see what 12th February brings at Heli-Expo – launch time is 11.30am in Dallas, 5.30pm GMT.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com