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Beriev MBR-2

The Beriev MBR-2 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.

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 license-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.

Specifications

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%)

Empty weight

2,718 kg (5,992 lb)

Max take-off 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

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

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