Beriev Be-12 Chaika of the Russian NavyPhotographed on 24 August 2009 at the Russian Air Force Museum, Monino, near Moscow.
Early production, c/n 4600302. NATO reporting name "Mail".
This was an turboprop-engined antisubmarine amphibious aircraft, which first flew from water on 18 October 1960, and from land on 2 November 1960. The first prototype aircraft was built with the help of aviation plant number 86 in late 1959 - early 1960.
Chaika = Seagull.
Series production was undertaken at factory no. 86 im. GM Dimitrov in Taganrog (now JSC "Taganrog Aviation"). The first production Be-12 appeared on 12 December 1963, and manufacturing continued until June 1973. In total, there were 2 prototypes and 140 production aircraft.
Picture added on 13 September 2009 at 09:07
