Bell Textron Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that produces military rotorcraft and commercial helicopters in Mirabel, Canada. Bell aviation is a pioneer when it comes to aviation, lunar missions, tiltrotor systems, and commercial helicopters.
With over 80 years of being in the skies, how did this company start? Let's have a look at the history of Bell Helicopter. The origins Lawrence 'Larry' Bell was an American industrialist who was passionate about aviation. This strong interest started at an air show, leading him to join the aircraft manufacturing industry of the Glenn L.
Martin Company in 1912, where he quickly rose to shop superintendent by 1914 and vice president by 1920. After being denied part ownership in 1924, Bell left the company. In 1928, he joined Consolidated Aircraft, where he became general manager.
However, seeking to run his own company, Bell founded Bell Aircraft Company in 1935 in New York, after Consolidated moved to San Diego. In 1937, Bell's company quickly secured its first military contract with the YFM-1 Airacuda , an advanced bomber-destroyer featuring cutting-edge technology. Only 13 units were produced, leading to the Airacuda being scrapped in 1942 after limited service.
In 1938, Bell found greater success with the P-39 Airacobra, a single-engine fighter featuring a unique design where the engine was placed in the center and powered by a propeller and a 37mm cannon. Despite performance issues due to .