Beriev Be-2 / MBR-2 Reconnaissance Flying Boat (1935)
Though hardly a heady performer, the Beriev Be-2 served a just cause in the maritime reconnaissance role for the Soviet Union in World War 2.
The Be-2 originally started with the designation of MBR-2. In earlier forms, the system was of a wooden hull design and customized for the short range work required of Soviet operations in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea. This type was fielded throughout most of the 1930's until the advent of World War 2, to which the type was slightly redesigned with a more powerful engine which improved performance and range. This new type was known as the MBR-2bis. The whole MBR series would eventually be redesignated to the more common Beriev designation of Be-2.
From a design standpoint, the Be-2 followed traditions of the time. A design by G.M. Beriev and flown as far back as 1931, the Be-2 made little noise throughout the thirties until Russia was brought into World War 2. A single engine powered the unit and sat in a raised position above the high monoplane wings. Pontoons adorned either wing underside. Armament was defensive in nature as the Be-2 was hardly in a position to do anything beyond short range reconnaissance, transport and rescue work. Armament consisted of just two 7.7mm machine guns - one in an open air bow position and the other in an enclosed glass position midship aft. A crew of four or five were called upon to work the various systems and weapons. Bombload was limited to just 661 pounds.
The Be-2 would see extensive action in numbers for the early and middle parts of the war. In combat, the Be-2 was hardly anything but a flying boat and the systems could do very little but defend with their two small caliber machine guns. At any case, the Be-2 was forced to perform under extreme conditions as a design from an earlier time - in that respect, the Be-2 fulfilled its duty the best it could and deserves at least some mention in the annals of Soviet contribution to the World War 2 air effort. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Beriev Be-2 / MBR-2
Reconnaissance Flying Boat
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Beriev - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1935
Production: 1,500
Focus Model: Beriev MBR-2bis
Crew: 4 to 5
Length: 44.29ft (13.5m)
Width: 62.34ft (19.00m)
Height: 12.47ft (3.80m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 9,359lbs (4,245kg)
Powerplant: 1 x AM-34NB 12-cylinder liquid-cooled inline engine developing 860hp.
Maximum Speed: 154mph (248kmh; 134kts)
Maximum Range: 870miles (1,400km)
Service Ceiling: 19,685ft (6,000m; 3.7miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in bow position
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in dorsal position
Up to 661lbs (300kg) of bombs, depth charges or mines.
Variants:
MBR-2M-17 - Fitted with Mikulin M-17B piston engine of 680 horsepower.
MBR-2AM-34
MBR-2M-103 - Single prototype model fitted with M-103 engine.
MBR-2bis - "Improved" version; fitted with Mikulin Am-34N engine of 860 horsepower.
MP-1 - Civilian model based on the MBR-2M-17 production model; accommodations for six to eight passengers.
MP-1bis
MP-1T - Cargo Transport Variant
Be-2 - Later Redesignation from MBR-2 series.
Operators: Soviet Union and Finland.
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