Beriev Be-2
| Company type | Military aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union |
| Products | Reconnaissance seaplane |
The Beriev Be-2—initially designated as KOR-1—was a two-person reconnaissance seaplane developed for the Soviet Navy in the prelude to World War II. Its purpose was to supplant the Navy’s aging fleet of license-built Heinkel He 55 planes that operated from both naval vessels and coastal installations.
Design and development
Designed as an all-metal biplane floatplane, the Be-2 featured tandem open cockpits accommodating a pilot and an observer. Its wings were braced and foldable, facilitating storage aboard warships. The float configuration included one large central float accompanied by two smaller floats beneath the wings. The aircraft was powered by a Shvetsov M-25 nine-cylinder radial engine—a licensed copy of the Wright R-1820—delivering . From its inception, the Be-2 encountered considerable difficulties related to flight handling and engine upkeep. Nevertheless, approximately 12 units were manufactured due to the absence of better alternatives. By mid-1941, six aircraft were operational within the Baltic Fleet, while five served with the Black Sea Fleet Air Force.
Operational history
The Be-2’s deployment was hampered by ongoing water stability problems and engine maintenance complexities, confining its use primarily to training and auxiliary functions, frequently operating from land bases rather than aboard ships as originally intended. The modernization of cruisers lagged, resulting in compatible catapult installations only appearing around 1939. Following the German invasion, plans for shipborne operations were abandoned. Early wartime roles included shore-based reconnaissance and search-and-rescue missions in the Baltic region. A number of these aircraft were modified with wheeled landing gear and employed as strike platforms during the Battle of Sevastopol. The Be-2 was retired from service in 1942.