The origins of the Bell 412 go back to 1979 at which time Bell Helicopter was seeking to expand on their medium utility line of helicopters through updating to appeal to the then current market, thus improving sales.

The engineers fitted their model 212 with improved systems and a main rotor made from stronger, light weight, composite materials, then they added an extra two blades.

The Bell 412 helicopter has been updated and improved throughout the years. Its variants feature higher gross weight capacity, additional fuel, a lower maintenance, more responsive, reliable, transmission, and more advanced avionics.

The Bell 412 is used in civilian and military roles throughout the world. Some 900 have been produced to date.

Vario Helicopters has two 11 piece fuselage kits for the Bell 412. One is for petrol and the other for Sky Fox mechanics. Both are 65" long, 13" wide, and need a 66" rotor.

Vario also has a fuselage kit for a turbine powered Bell 412. It has 15 pieces, is 85" long, 16" wide and uses a 93" rotor.

Sky Hunter Hobby has a Bell 412 fuselage kit for Raptor 50 or Trex 600 EP mechanics. It is 53" long, 11" wide and needs a 53" rotor.