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.