Definition
The Beriev Be‑4, initially designated KOR‑1 (Корпусный разведчик, “ship‑borne reconnaissance”), was a Soviet single‑engine, catapult‑launched floatplane designed for maritime reconnaissance and artillery spotting from warships in the 1930s.
Overview
Developed by the Beriev design bureau in the early 1930s, the Be‑4 entered limited production in 1935. It was intended to operate from the decks of Soviet surface vessels equipped with catapults, allowing rapid deployment for short‑range scouting missions over the sea. The aircraft remained in service with the Soviet Navy into the early years of the Second World War, after which it was gradually withdrawn as newer types became available.
Etymology / Origin
The designation “Be‑4” follows the Soviet practice of assigning the designer’s initial (“Be” for Beriev) followed by a sequential number. The earlier internal designation “KOR‑1” derived from the Russian abbreviation КОР‑1 (Корпусный разведчик 1), meaning “ship‑borne reconnaissance 1”, reflecting its intended operational role.
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 (pilot and observer) |
| Powerplant | One Shvetsov M‑25 radial engine (licensed version of the Gnome‑Rhône 9K) delivering approximately 750 hp |
| Structure | Mixed construction: wooden wing and fuselage frame with fabric covering; twin steel‑tube floats |
| Dimensions | Length: ~9.4 m; Wingspan: ~13.5 m; Height: ~3.2 m |
| Performance | Maximum speed: ~260 km/h; Range: ~800 km; Service ceiling: ~5 000 m |
| Armament | Typically equipped with one fixed forward‑firing 7.62 mm machine gun and a flexible 7.62 mm gun for the observer; provision for small photographic equipment |
| Operational Use | Launched via catapult from cruiser and destroyer decks; recovered by landing on water and hoisted aboard by crane |
Exact production numbers are not uniformly documented; estimates range from 30 to 50 airframes built.
Related Topics
- Beriev Design Bureau – The Soviet (now Russian) aircraft design organization responsible for a series of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft.
- KOR‑1 (designation) – The original project name for the Be‑4, highlighting its maritime reconnaissance purpose.
- Shvetsov M‑25 Engine – A Soviet‑licensed version of the French Gnome‑Rhône 9K radial engine, widely used in Soviet aircraft of the era.
- Soviet Naval Aviation in the 1930s – The broader context of maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft employed by the USSR’s navy prior to and during the early stages of World War II.
Note: While the basic specifications and service history of the Beriev Be‑4 are documented in several Soviet-era aviation references, certain details (such as precise production figures) remain subject to limited archival confirmation.