Beriev Be-30/32
Beriev · Soviet Union · first flew 1967 · transport aircraft
The Beriev Be-30 (later developed as the Be-32) was a small Soviet twin-turboprop feeder liner intended to replace the Antonov An-2 biplane on short domestic routes. Despite promising performance, it lost out to the Let L-410 Turbolet in Soviet service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | High straight wing above oval fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small Soviet twin-turboprop feeder airliner
- High straight wing above oval fuselage
- Designed to replace An-2 on short local routes
A compact, high-wing twin-turboprop with a rounded oval fuselage cross-section, straight shoulder-mounted wings, and a conventional tail. Its small size and Soviet design language distinguish it from Western equivalents like the Shorts 330 or Twin Otter.
Specifications
- The Beriev Be-30/32 has a length of 15.7 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 510 km/h (317 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + 14–19 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1967, the Be-30 competed with the Czech Let L-410 for the contract to replace the An-2. Despite demonstrating good performance, political and industrial factors led to the L-410 being selected for mass production. Limited Be-30/32 production followed, with the type finding some export interest.
Variants
The Be-32 was a developed version with updated engines and minor structural improvements. Export variants were offered to several countries. The Be-32K was a further modernised version proposed in the post-Soviet period.
Where you'll see it
Operated in small numbers by Aeroflot on regional routes. The type never achieved the widespread adoption its designers hoped for. A small number of Be-32s remain in service with Russian regional carriers and private operators.
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