Beriev MBR-2

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

Design
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 licence-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 for Aeroflot. It could carry six passengers in an enclosed cabin.
 * MP-1bis : Civil version of the MBR-2AM-34 flying-boat for Aeroflot.
 * MP-1T : Freight transport conversion of MBR-2.

Operators

 * The Finnish Air Force operated five captured aircraft from 1941.
 * Aeroflot
 * Soviet Naval Aviation
 * 🇰🇵 North Korea
 * North Korean Air Force
 * 🇰🇵 North Korea
 * North Korean Air Force