Beriev R-1

The Beriev R-1 (known in-house as 'product R')[1] was the first Soviet turbojet-powered flying boat.

R-1
Role Experimental flying boat
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Beriev
First flight 30 May 1952
Status scrapped
Number built 1

Design and development

At the end of World War II, design work began on a request from the Soviet Navy for a jet-powered flying boat. Starting with the wing design of the Be-6, Beriev began in-house design work in May 1947, even before the official specifications were issued in June 1948. The specifications called for a radar-equipped aircraft with a three-man crew, capable of a speed of 800 km/h, and with a range of 2000-2500 kilometers. The aircraft was to be armed with 2,000 kg of bombs and four 20 mm cannons.

Beriev completed a mock-up by 10 June 1950, using Klimov VK-1 engines instead of the originally planned Rolls-Royce Nene engines. The first prototype was completed in November 1951. However, the prototype experienced severe vibrations and hydrodynamic instability at 165 km/hr and was nearly destroyed in testing. After much modification, flight testing began at the end of 1951. The prototype crash landed on 3 October 1953 and was again repaired.

Extensive testing continued to 1956, however, the development of land-based long-range reconnaissance aircraft put the project into jeopardy. After another crash in February 1956, the R-1 was never repaired and subsequently scrapped.[2] The R designation is believed to have stood for Reaktivnyy (jet-propelled).[1] Experience gained during the test programme with the R-1 was used in the development of the Beriev Be-10.[3]

Specifications (R-1)

Data from Beriev's Jet Flying Boats[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator and gunner/radio operator)
  • Length: 19.9 m (65 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 58 m2 (620 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: NACA 23009[5]
  • Max takeoff weight: 20,300 kg (44,754 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-1 turbojet engines, 26.5 kN (5,950 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn)
  • Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,700 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 forward-firing 23-mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannon, 2 tail-mounted 23-mm Shpitalniy Sh-3 cannon.
  • Bombs: Maximum of 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) carried on underwing bomb racks.
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See also

Related development

Related lists

  • List of seaplanes and flying boats

References

Notes
  1. Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 5.
  2. Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 11.
  3. Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 21.
  4. Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 5-20.
  5. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography
  • Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zablotskiy (2006) Beriev's Jet Flying Boats. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-236-5
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