In the Soviet Union, it sometimes carried the nickname of "Kорова" (cow) and "Амбар" (barn).

[2] The MBR-2 was designed by Georgy Mikhailovich Beriev and first flew in 1931, powered by an imported 373 kW (500 hp) BMW VI.Z engine.

Production models, which arrived in 1934, used a licence-built version of this engine, the Mikulin M-17 of 508 kW (680 hp), and could be fitted with a fixed wheel or ski undercarriage.

In 1935, an improved version was developed, the MBR-2bis, powered by the Mikulin AM-34N engine, and fitted with an enclosed cockpit, dorsal gun-turret and enlarged vertical tail.

Data from L'hydroaviation MBR-2, pillier de la reconnaissance naval soviétique[3]General characteristics Performance Armament