Its design, which was the first aircraft designed by G.M. Beriev, dates back to the early 1930s when Soviet authorities considered there was a great need for short-range seaplanes which would perform the reconnaissance role. Initially, according to early design notes, it was going to be made entirely out of metal, but given the lack of aluminium (which was reserved only for bombers), it was decided to make it out of wood, material which the technical council of the Soviet Navy, gave the green light to work with.
The first prototype was completed in Moscow in 1932 and more machines were manufactured. Official prototype tests lasted from 1934 until 1937 with good handling and flight characteristics, it was considered superior to even some foreign flying-boats of the time like the Supermarine Walrus. The main test pilot was A.A. Ulsen and a Beriev MBR-2 was also the personal plane of Joseph Stalin to assist to a meeting about the Naval Aviation on 5th August 1933. Even if it was repudiated by A.N. Tupolev (maybe the most influential Soviet aircraft designer back in those years), who called it a "floating piece of wood", as the Soviet Navy was in need for a flying boat, and it had not bad flying characteristics, the type was officially adopted.
The initial prototype was powered by an imported BMW VI.Z engine mounted on racks above the main fuselage. Production models, those manufactured from 1934 onwards, were powered by a licensed version of that engine, the Mikulin M-17 which could deliver up to 680 hp of power. This aircraft could be fitted with either skis or wheels to allow it to operate from dry land.
A commercial airline version, the MP-1 was also designed by Beriev, which served with Aeroflot (Soviet's main airline) and a freighter version in 1936.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_MBR-2
2. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/МБР-2 (translated)
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