Beriev MBR-2

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Beriev MBR-2 was a reconnaissance flying boat which entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1935.

The MBR-2 was designed by Georgy Mikhailovich Beriev and first flew in 1931, powered by an imported 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 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 :
• MBR-2AM-34 :
• MBR-2M-103 :
• MBR-2bis :
• MP-1 : Civil transport version for Aeroflot.
• MP-1bis :
• MP-1T : Freight version.

Operators

• Finland
  • The Finnish Air Force operated five captured aircraft from 1941.
• Soviet Union
  • Aeroflot
  • Soviet Naval Aviation

Specifications (MBR-2bis)

General characteristics

• Crew: 4-5

Performance Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 1× 7.62 mm (0.30 in) PV-1 machine gun in bow
  • 1× 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun in dorsal turret
• Bombs: 300 kg (660 lb) of bombs, mines, and depth charges carried underwing

References

• Munson, Kenneth (1969). Bombers, Patrol and Transport Aircraft 1939-45. Blandford. ISBN 0-71370379-2.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Supermarine Walrus