Beriev MBR-2

The Beriev MBR-2[1] was a Soviet multi-purpose (including reconnaissance) flying boat which entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1935. Out of 1,365 built, 9 were used by foreign countries including Finland and North Korea. In Soviet Union it sometimes carried the nickname of "Kорова" (cow) and "Амбар" (barn)[2].

Beriev MBR-2
Aeroflot MP-1 at Yalta, circa 1938.
Role Patrol aircraft
Manufacturer Beriev OKB
Designer Georgy Mikhailovich Beriev
First flight 1931
Introduction 1935
Status Out of production; retired
Primary user Soviet Navy
Produced 1934-1941
Number built 1,365

Design

The MBR-2 was designed by Georgy Mikhailovich Beriev and first flew in 1931, powered by an imported 373 kW (500 hp) BMW VI.Z engine. Production models, which arrived in 1934, used a licence-built version of this engine, the Mikulin M-17 of 508 kW (680 hp), and could be fitted with a fixed wheel or ski undercarriage.

Beriev also designed a commercial airliner derivation, the MP-1, which entered airline service in 1934, and a freighter version, which followed in 1936.

In 1935, an improved version was developed, the MBR-2bis, powered by the Mikulin AM-34N engine, and fitted with an enclosed cockpit, dorsal gun-turret and enlarged vertical tail. In this configuration, the machine remained in production until 1941. As with the MBR-2, the bis spawned a commercial derivative and the MP-1bis entered service in 1937.

Variants
  • MBR-2M-17 : Short-range maritime reconnaissance, bombing flying-boat, powered by a 508 kW (680 hp) Mikulin M-17B piston engine.
  • MBR-2AM-34 or MBR-2bis : Improved version, powered by a Mikulin AM-34N engine.
  • MBR-2M-103 : One MBR-2AM-34 was fitted with the more powerful M-103 engine. One prototype only.
  • MP-1 : Civil version of the MBR-2M-17 flying-boat. It could carry six passengers in an enclosed cabin.
  • MP-1bis : Civil version of the MBR-2AM-34 flying-boat.
  • MP-1T : Freight transport conversion of MBR-2.

Operators
 Finland
 Soviet Union
 North Korea
  • North Korean Air Force

Specifications (MBR-2bis)

Data from

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4-5
  • Length: 13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)
  • Airfoil: root: MOS-27 (18%) ; tip: MOS-27 (10%)[3]
  • Empty weight: 2,718 kg (5,992 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,245 kg (9,359 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mikulin AM-34N V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 559 kW (750 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 275 km/h (171 mph, 148 kn)
  • Range: 1,500 km (930 mi, 810 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,100 ft)

Armament

  • Guns:
  • Bombs:
  • 300 kg (660 lb) of bombs, mines, and depth charges carried underwing

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References
  1. MBR stands for its Russian role - Morskoi Blizhniy Razvedchik (Cyrillic: Морской Ближний Разведчик) "Naval Short Range Reconnaissance".
  2. Bogatko, Sergei. Recce's of tradeways
  3. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  • Munson, Kenneth (1969). Bombers, Patrol and Transport Aircraft 1939-45. Blandford. ISBN 0-7137-0379-2.
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