This rather nondescript airplane - actually, as they say, many articles about the Soviet seaplane - honored veteran. The last fire, water, ice all the years of the Great Patriotic War.
He was born in the head of the Soviet legend hydroaviation, Georgy Beriev. man, who not only picked up the work Grigorovich, the father of Russian Naval Aviation, but continued them at the global level.
But it all began with the MBR-2. Maritime reconnaissance near OKB Beriev.
Beriev chose to debut chart single-engine monoplane with a pusher propeller and the boat dvuhredannoy. The design had to plan to have a good seaworthiness, and the ability to take off and land on water with waves of up to 0,7 m. As the power plant planned engine M-27.
Go tell, that the engine came out as always, i.e, mind to M-27 not shown. Therefore, in a series of 2-IDB I went to M-17 and AM-34. There's nothing you can do, it is quite common for those years.
In theory, MBR-2 was supposed to be an all-metal, but the state of the industry has led to, the plane made completely wooden. This complicated the life of designers, but half-way to facilitate mass production.
And the long-awaited moment - the state tests. factory and state tests aircraft program was just 20 days, and there were even without the usual in such cases dovodok.
The car turned out very, very good. Easy to manage, stable in water and in flight. The only drawback was the lower rate, than the licensed "Savoy-Marchetti» S-62B, which in the 30s was in the Navy arsenal.
But the MBR-2 was better for the rest of LTH.
Life Beriev somewhat spoiled Tupolev, who suggested at the time the project - all-metal aircraft MDR-2. But the plane Tupolev has shown outstanding performance, and the patriarch was forced to concede. However undercover intrigue zabushevali in full, and the question of the launch of the MBR-2 has not been resolved.
And then the will reshuffle Beriev was in the design of experimental aircraft sector department (IEA) TsAGI under the direct start of the Tupolev.
Naturally, These revels significantly complicated the serial production of the MBR-2. If it is not at all reduced to zero. But the plane had saved the head of TsAGI Kharlamov, who proposed Beriev develop passenger version MBR-2.
Offer suit everyone, including Tupolev, that can not be seen in the passenger MBR-2 direct competitor to their offspring.
But in the course of the play, when the MDR-2 Tupolev finally lose one's attraction military, Passenger MBR-2 was launched in the original form.
The first military specialty MBR-2 was to use it as a driver of the aircraft radio-controlled torpedo boats, or as they were called, wave control boats. This is how the first military modification: MBR-2VU.
Multiple tests have shown, that the duration of the flight in 5-6 hours is enough to control the boats, however, the aircraft needs to be improved for these tasks.
later, already in the Great Patriotic War, there have been attempts to use radio-controlled boats, but really it did not work because of the need for constant control aircraft fighter cover.
But the MBR-2 became a flying laboratory for testing of various communication systems and external control: "Octopus", "V-P", "Quartz-3", "Quartz-4", "Topaz-3".
The parade of the MBR-2 began arriving in 1934 city, replacing Dornier «Val», MBR-4 and S-62bis in the units and squadrons, exploited the Red Army Air Force intelligence agents of Naval Aviation. And so slowly, to 1937 , the MBR-2 has become the main seaplane Soviet Naval Aviation, and to 1939 it was equipped with parts of the border troops of coastal and river areas.
by the way, it is with the MBR-2 began the history of aviation of the Northern Fleet. AT 1936 , three flying boats were the first naval aviation aircraft in the North. The first flights began there only next summer, because the water aerodrome in Bay Dirty able to prepare only in May 1937 city
In this way, By the early 40-ies of the MDBs is very firmly entered into the everyday life of naval aviation in all areas, from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea.
I had a very difficult situation: MBR-2 obsolescent, and not just obsolescent, and did so just fast. Command of Naval Aviation did not meet the low speed, weak defensive armament and a small bomb load.
But the crews are well mastered and appreciated the leisurely, but it is very simple to operate and reliable machine. MBR-2 had a very good seaworthiness, it can be used where possible not, and there, where you need. Plus, a simple wooden construction made it possible to repair almost any complexity directly into parts.
Perhaps, the most important drawback of wooden construction MBR-2 was a severe need drying. It drives the plane after the flight had to be rolled out to the coast and dry.
It puts it into practice on the principle of "who on that worthy". We apply a variety of ways: Pour into hot sand bags, which is applied to damp parts of the aircraft, light bulbs, hot compressed air or a hot water jugs.
Given the size of the boat - it was still busy.
The official (and informal) literature is often cited sort of romantic nickname of aircraft - "seagull". During those years the standard for silver color.
Difficult challenge after all these years, but here, that "Ambarchik" was more common - fact. Yes, and more equitable, because it came from the Far North, where flying boats to transport all sorts of loads polar explorers, meteorologists, expeditions. Well, plus a rather angular shape.
In general - Ambarchik, as it is.
The first war for the MBR-2 was the conflict with the Japanese at Lake Khasan in July-August 1938 g. Pacific flying boats were gathering intelligence on the Sea of Japan, on the way to Vladivostok and Posiet. Since neither the fleet, no enemy air force did not participate in the conflict, clashes MBR-2 crew had.
Second War was the Soviet-Finnish, or Winter.
Because conditional gidroaerodromy frozen, it did not become an obstacle to the use of MBR-2. "Ambarchik" were put on the skis and it is normal to fly to land aerodromes.
View, of course, absolutely fantastic.
From the first days of the war and to the end of the MBR-2 crews were gathering intelligence on the mouth of the Gulf of Finland and the northern Baltic Sea. Besides, flying boats were actively involved in the struggle for the Finnish shipping and to impact on various shore facilities as day, and at night.
So to speak: pretty stupid and senseless use of low-speed aircraft with a small bomb load. But orders are orders ...
But the main task of the MBR-2 was to save the crews of downed aircraft, with what «ambarchiki» coped quite well.
There was also a hero - Alexey Antonovich Ghubra, commits 22 sorties to search and rescue crews downed aircraft. Merit Ghubra rescue crews were valued title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Of course, the main field of application of the MBR-2 was the Great Patriotic War, and, from the first day.
application, so to speak, Intelligent no different. The annals of history are preserved records of such transactions, as the attack of German destroyers in the Baltic Sea. MBR-2 bomber together with SB and Pe-2, but acting at lower altitudes (to 2000 m), carried out bombing, but success is not achieved. Only suffered losses from flak German ships, which could quite easily sink our ships, How did it happen 24.07.1941 with the ship "Meridian", which the Germans sank despite the attempts of our air attacks.
Besides, on the Baltic Sea (and not only there) MBR-2 is not allowed to operate enemy fighters. Perhaps, Only in the Arctic, where the application of the German air force was not of a permanent nature mainly because of the small number.
But if the German fighters met "Ambarchik", the massacre was short and brutal. And because since the end of 1941 , the MBR-2 have gone to work in the dark. It sometimes bear fruit, eg, on the night 5 on 6 December flying boats attacked Liinakhamari port. Direct hit from a bomb had damaged the ship «Antje Fritzen» (4330 brt).
But there was another part, which the MBR-2 played a more successful. During the first phase of the Great Patriotic War, the MBR-2 was almost the only aircraft, who could fight with enemy submarines in all seas.
Of course, no we are not talking about any search radar. And the "main battery" MBR-2 were depth charges PLAB-100 with very little scope, Germans and loss of MBR-2 action has not suffered, but the damage, who received several German submarines forced them to act with more caution, eg, in the same White Sea.
MBR-2 were used for antisubmarine cover for Allied convoys, Follow in the Soviet ports. FROM 6 by 13 July 1942 g. MBR-2 conducted reconnaissance and search for the infamous transports convoy PQ-17. Flying boats were active when posting the largest convoy PQ-18.
In general, after 1943 , the MBR-2 acted exclusively in the Arctic, where in the polar night crews "Ambarchik" could act relatively safe.
On the night 24 on 25 January 1943 , the MBR-2 of the 118th Orapa made 22 flight to port Kirkeness, dropping 40 FAB-100 and 200 fragmentation AO-2.5 on the ships in the port.
Direct hits to the court was not, but one bomb exploded near standing on the roads in anticipation of unloading ship «Rotenfels» (7854 brt). From close the gap ignited hay, which, together with other goods are on board. Despite the measures taken (and on «Rotenfels» urgently transferred Norwegian fire brigade and 200 Soviet prisoners of war, which ordered the release of dangerous goods at sea), fire was not put out. Germans, reluctantly, I had to flood the ship. Although it was soon raised, it was lost 4000 tons of cargo, and he stood in the boat for a long time repairs.
No kidding, but in 1943 year, it was the biggest victory for the whole of Soviet Naval Aviation. Produced more than modest legacy flying boats.
AT 1943-44 gg. intensity of the struggle on the polar communications only intensified. German submarines received significantly more powerful anti-aircraft armament, and in the MBR-2 showdown with bombs and machine guns, and "the U-boats" with "Firling" we began to win the second.
Now «wolves» Doenitz could easily fend off the slabovooruzhennogo MBR-2. And indeed, to confess, MBR-2 did not become an effective anti-submarine aircraft. First of all, due to lack of radar. Yes, Allies submarine research station entrenched in the nomenclature of aircraft PLO funds in other countries.
Nevertheless, MBR-2 continued to seek and attack enemy submarines, simply because, that other planes we did not have. Until, while on the northern expanses were not American "Catalina", highly advanced and formidable weapon.
Nevertheless, "Ambarchik" conducted aerial reconnaissance and ice in the White Sea, convoys sent by them, continued to search for submarines, especially in the areas of the Holy Nose and capes Kanin Nos.
By June 1944 g. They were listed as part of BVF 33 MBR-2, which were used quite intensively, that year they performed 905 sorties, and 1945 g. - yet 259.
It was, true, and not quite normal operations.
In September 1944 g. on the MBR-2 was evacuated not quite the usual way the crew of the downed British bombers "Lancaster", who participated in one of the attacks on the battleship "Tirpitz".
Bomber has not held up berry airfield near Arkhangelsk, where he was to refuel on the way back to Britain, and plopped down in a swamp near the village of Talagi.
Flew to the aid of the MBR-2 first dropped by parachute conductor, and then I sat down on the nearest lake and there waiting, while the conductor will lead the British to the plane.
And there was a case, when the actions of the crew-2 ICBM helped to capture in a fellow prisoner. Flying Boat BV-138 made an emergency landing in the area of. Morzhovets. The crew began to ask for help on the radio, but the work of an unknown radio only attracted the attention of our sailors. Taking off in the area of the MBR-2 discovered his hapless colleagues and brought the BV-138 hydrographic vessel «haze», whose crew seized the plane and captured Germans.
But again, such things could only happen there, where not worked enemy aircraft. In the Baltic Finns and Germans are quite easy to set up the MBR-2 almost without straining.
Summarizing applying MBR-2, should say the following: complete mismatch MBR-2 requirements, requirements for maritime reconnaissance, It led to, that his career in this capacity over the first months of the war. But as a night bomber and lifeguard flying boat had much more success.
But the most interesting, that the end of the Great Patriotic War for the MBR-2 has not ended!
AT 1946 year, aircraft, had the lowest wear, They were taken out of service and sent to North Korea. As someone - a complicated question, supply any information from the DPRK have difficult, but the fact, that the planes took part in the war.
By the beginning of the war, the North Koreans have created, at least, on the east coast, several gidrobaz for MBR-2, from which they can monitor coastal waters. It is not excluded, that from there North Korean ICBM-2 made night raids, which infuriated the American night fighter crews, whose radar with great difficulty could detect the motor 'Ambarchik ". Rest, we remember, everything was made of wood.
At the MBR-2 put in Korea and Po-2, which "Ambarchik" amounted to a good night's Duet. "Crazies Chinese alarm clocks" were treated with the front edge of the trenches is not worse, than in World, and "Night grinder Charlie" is not allowed to work minesweeper "UN forces" at night. With great confidence we can assume, that the "grinder" - is just the MBR-2.
But the war in Korea was the last performance of the MBR-2 and ending combat career. By the time of the conclusion of the Ceasefire Agreement in July 1953 g. any MBR-2 in the ranks of the DPRK Air Force no longer exists.
At the end of the story about the MBR-2 I want to say, Beriev that car came a kind. neither speed, any height, nor any other of excellent performance. And yet, "Ambarchik 'simply pulled the service there, where necessary.
Truly "air war workers'.
Characteristics MBR-2:
Wingspan, m: 19,00
Length, m: 13,50
Height, m: 5,36
wing area, quarter. m: 55,00
Weight, kg:
- empty aircraft: 3 306
- normal take-off: 4 424
- fuel: 540
Engine: 1 x M x 34NB 830 l. from.
full speed, kmh:
- the land: 224
- on high: 234
Cruising speed, kmh: 170-200
practical range, km: 690
Service ceiling, m: 7 400
Crew, people: 3
weaponry: 2-4 7,62-mm machine gun or ShKAS YES, bombs to 600 kg.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
