Soviet Union's Beriev MBR-2 flying boat

Photos

Design

The MBR-2 was designed by Georgi Mikhailovich Berlev.² The Beriev MBR-2 was the military version of the Beriev Be-2.¹ They were used in civilian and military roles.¹

Construction

The MBR-2 was built with metal wings and a wooden hull.^1,2

Engine

Then engine was mounted on pylons above the fuselage.^1,2 It was a pusher engine.^1,2

Wings

Under the wings were outrigger floats.¹

Prototype

The MBR-2 prototype first flew in 1931 and had a BMW VIZ engine (500 HP).¹

Production

• Total: >1,500^1,2
  • Manufacturer: State Industries²
  • Production: early 1930s - 1941¹

Variants

• Beriev Be-2: Civilian version.¹ Could carry eight passengers.¹ These were operated by Aeroflot.¹
• Beriev MBR-2: Military version.¹ The cockpit was open.¹ It also could have a ski undercarriage or fixed wheels.¹
• Beriev MBR-2bis: Military version.¹ The cockpit was enclosed.¹ There was a dorsal turret added.¹ The vertical tail surfaces was increased.¹ There were mountings under the wings for bombs, mines, or depth charges.¹
• Beriev MP-1: Civilian transport.¹ Carry eight passengers.¹
• Beriev MP-1T: Civilian freight transport.¹ Based on MBR-2.¹
• Beriev MP-1bis: Based on the MBR-2bis.¹

Usage

The MBR-2 became operational in 1933.²

Altitude Record

A civilian version of the MBR-2 set a record by climbing to 30,000' without cargo in May 1937.² This record stood for 23 years.²

Combat

The Soviet Union and Finland used the MBR-2 during World War II.¹ Finland had captured five MBR-2s in 1941.¹

The MBR-2's primary role was for coastal reconnaissance.¹ They were mostly stationed with the Soviet Northern and Black Sea fleets.¹

Specifications

	Beriev MBR-21,2	Beriev MBR-2bis1
Type	Reconnaissance1,2, Air sea rescue1
Crew	4 - 52, 51
Engine (Type)	M.172, M-17B1	Mikulin AM-34NB1
Cylinders	V 121,2
Cooling	Liquid2
HP	6801,2	8601
Propeller blades	21	31
Fuel capacity
Dimensions
Span	43' 11"2, 62' 4"1 19 m1
Length	30' 2"2, 44' 3"1 13.48 m1
Height	14' 9"1, 16' 5"2 4.5 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty		7,024 lb1 3,186 kg1
Loaded	9,359 lb2	9,359 lb1 4,245 kg1
Performance
Speed	136 mph1 218 kph1
Speed @ 6,560' / 2,000 m	154 mph2	171 mph1 275 kph1
Cruising speed	121 mph1 195 kph1
Climb
Service ceiling	19,690'2	25,920'1 7,900 m1
Range	745 miles1, 746 miles2 1,200 km1	650 miles1 1,046 km1
Range - operational
Armament	2: MG2
Bow	1: 7.62 mm MG1	1: 7.62 mm MG1
Dorsal turret		1: 7.62 mm MG1
Bombs	660 lb2
Bombs or depth charges		660 lb1 300 kg1