Beriev MBR-2, part two

 

The Beriev MBR-2bis was an improved version of the regular MBR-2 with a Mikulin AM-34N engine, instead of the original M-17 one. The AM-34N engine could deliver up to 750 hp of power and drove a two-bladed propeller. The MBR-2bis' fuselage was also modified to have an enclosed cockpit, a dorsal gun turret and an enlarged vertical fin. Around 750 units of this variant were manufactured between 1935 and 1940 (some sources claim it was until 1941 though) at aircraft factory No.31, located in the city of Taganrog. 

The first combat usage of the MBR-2bis was in 1938 during the Battle of Lake Khasan. Some MBR-2bis of the Soviet Pacific Fleet stationed in Vladivostok, took off to harass Japanese troops involved in the fighting. 

During the whole Winter and Continuation Wars, the MBR-2 and MBR-2bis belonging to the Soviet Baltic Naval Aviation were thoroughly employed during both conflicts, by both sides as up to five machines, both MBR-2 and MBR-2bis were captured by the Finns, who employed them in various roles, among them anti-submarine patrols, scout, rescue operations and propaganda leaflet bombing in the area of Lake Ladoga. 

They were also widely employed during World War 2, specially on the Black Sea, where they suffered heavy losses because of their weak defensive armament. In 1943 an MBR-2bis of the Caspian flotilla bombed the building of the Communist Party at the city of Elista, in the Kalamyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, when the city was occupied by the Germans, as it was serving as the headquarters for a German division. This attack was emblematic at its time, and was highly propagandised by the Soviet authorities. 

The last operational use of the Beriev MBR-2bis during World War 2 was during the Soviet Invasion of the Southern part of the Sakhalin Island, in August 1945. 

It's reported that when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK - AKA North Korea) was established in September 1948, an unknown number of MBR-2bis was supplied to the newly created North Korean Air Force. Any further report of the MBR-2 in North Korea is unknown, they were probably destroyed during the course of the Korean War, and, as we couldn't find graphical information about it, the drawing should considered as speculative. 

Additionally, the MBR-2bis was also used by Aeroflot in various aerial routes all along the USSR until the late 1940s. 

One machine was experimentally fitted with a Mikulin M-103 engine which drove a three-bladed propeller and served as the basis for the more advanced, though unsuccessful albeit not because of technical reasons, Beriev MBR-7.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_MBR-2

2. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/МБР-2 (translated)

3. https://www.valka.cz/Berijev-MBR-2-M-34-kod-NATO-Mote-t102680

Beriev MBR-2, part one

 

The Beriev MBR-2 was a Soviet multi-roled flying which entered service with Soviet Navy in 1935.

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)