Beriev MDR-5

Beriev Design Bureau

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Taganrog , Soviet Union
Products	Aircraft, including the MDR-5 flying boat

The Beriev MDR-5 (Morskoi Dalnii Razvedchik, meaning Long-range Reconnaissance) — occasionally identified as the Beriev MS-5 — was a Soviet prototype long-range reconnaissance and bomber flying boat, developed by the Beriev design bureau located in Taganrog. Despite its capabilities, it did not proceed to mass production as the competing Chyetverikov MDR-6 was favored.

Development

The MDR-5, standing for naval long-distance reconnaissance, was constructed as a twin-engine, all-metal, high-wing cantilever monoplane flying boat. It was designed to accommodate a crew of five and was equipped with two Tumansky M-87A radial engines.

Two units were manufactured: the first was a pure flying boat completed in 1938, while the second featured amphibious capabilities.

Although the MDR-5 met operational requirements adequately, the Chyetverikov MDR-6 had already been selected for production, resulting in the MDR-5 remaining at the prototype stage without further development.

Operators

Soviet Union

• Soviet Navy