Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Beriev Be-12 Tchaika (Mail)

1961 COLD WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

Beriev Be-12 "Mail" was a successful airship developed for the Soviet Navy as a replacement for the troubled Be-10 "Mallow" series during the Cold War. Fulfilling the role of maritime patrol and reconnaissance, it features a turboprop engine design over the former's turbojet arrangement.

Like the Be-10 before it, the Be-12 has set multiple world aircraft records for this class of aircraft. Offered as a prototype in 1960, the series was first shown to the public in 1961, and it went into production shortly after.

A total of 143 prototypes of this type were built, some of which are still flying today (2014).

The Be-12 is powered by 2 Ivchenko Progress AI-20D turboprop engines mounted on top of a high-wing monoplane. The wings are curved upward from the fuselage in a "gull wing"-like arrangement. As with other airship designs, the use of elevated wings increased lift and removed the engines from the water.

To prevent capsizing, float pontoons are installed under each wing. The Be-12 is usually operated by four to six personnel. In addition to its water-based landing and take-off, it also has inherent amphibious qualities thanks to its wheeled landing gear - a feature retained from previous Be-10 designs. Therefore, it can be used as a conventional land-based aircraft at prepared airstrips.

In addition, the Be-12 has a MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detection) system installed in the stern, a radar in the bow area, and a glass viewing position in the bow.

Dimensions include a length of 98.8 feet, a wingspan of 98 feet, and a height of 26 feet. Empty weight is 52,800 pounds and maximum takeoff weight is 79,200 pounds. Twin-turboprop capabilities include a top speed of 330 mph, a range of up to 2,100 miles, and a service ceiling of 26,250 feet.

The Be-12 surpassed the Be-10, which was about to enter service with Soviet naval aviation, by increasing its operational range. Its payload includes up to 3,300 pounds of external supplies in the form of torpedoes, depth charges, mines, or conventionally dropped bombs.

The series was exported to Egypt, Syria and Vietnam, while the ex-Soviet stockpiles fell into the hands of the Ukrainians. Additionally, after the fall of the Soviet Empire in the early 1990s, models of the former Soviet navy were transformed into the reborn Russian navy.