Beriev Be-2 / MBR-2

History of Beriev Be-2 / MBR-2

Beriev Be-2 was one of the few famous airships that fought for the Soviet Union during World War II, as it received little attention. The design of the airship is practical in nature, with pedestrian performance, but serves the VVS-VMF well when conducting search and rescue (SAR) for downed pilots.

In addition to being a passenger/transport spin-off, the Be-2 also set some world records, especially in the field of female flight -- before its inevitable retirement.

The Be-2 was originally named MBR-2. In its early form, the system was designed with a wooden hull and was tailored for the short-range jobs required by Soviet operations in the Baltic and Black Seas. This type was used for much of the 1930s until the beginning of World War II, after which the type was slightly redesigned with a more powerful engine that improved performance and range.

This new type is called MBR-2bis. The entire MBR range will eventually be renamed to the more common Beriev name Be-2.

From a design standpoint, the Be-2 followed the traditions of the time. The Be-2 was designed by G. M. Beriev and flew as early as 1931. In the 1930s, she barely made a sound until Russia was drawn into World War II. A single engine powers the unit and sits high above the monoplane's tall wings.

Buoys adorn the undersides of both wings. The weapon is defensive in nature, as the Be-2 has little ability to do anything other than close-range reconnaissance, transport, and rescue work.

The armament consisted of only two 7.7mm machine guns - one in the open bow position and the other in the closed glass position in the stern. Four or five crew members were required to operate various systems and weapons. Bombload is limited to 661 lbs.

The Be-2 will see extensive operations early and mid-war. In combat, the Be-2 was little more than an airship, and the systems could do little other than defend it with twin small-caliber machine guns. In any case, the Be-2, as an early design, had to function in extreme conditions - and in that regard, the Be-2 did the best it could and at least deserves a mention of WWII air raids in the Soviet-contributed chronicle .

Specification

Basic

Production

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes