A question about a Beriev flying boat

[maxmwill]

I'm curious if there has been discussion about alternate engines in the Beriev Be-4(KOR-2)? I have one of the Russian books on the -4, and in toward the middle of the issue is a profile of a KOR-3 with an M-107 with contraprops.

And this got me to thinking not so radical, instead of the M62, what about the M87?

The issue on the Be-4 that I have is in Russian, and my understanding of that language being rudimentary at best, so until I wade through the entire issue, I simply have to speculate if Beriev had experimented with the installation of the more powerful radial.

Me, I have a kit of the Be-4, and a kit of the Su-2, so it looks like I might try the marriage, but now I'm seriously wondering if this was in fact attempted, and if so, what were the results.

[jcf]

The M-62 (Ash-62IR version used in KOR-2) had a higher power rating than the Gnome-Rhone M-87, yet the G-R engine is 50Kg heavier,
so I wouldn't see that as a positive step.

At least that is what the numbers in Russian Piston Aero Engines by Kotelnikov show.

[maxmwill]

I didn't know that the 62 is heavier than the 87.

My experience with the M62 was from working on a privately owned AN2(they can now be had for a song or less than a song), where I found out that the 62 is based upon the Wright 1820.

[jcf]

I didn't know that the 62 is heavier than the 87.

My experience with the M62 was from working on a privately owned AN2(they can now be had for a song or less than a song), where I found out that the 62 is based upon the Wright 1820.

It isn't, the Gnome-Rhone M-87 is the heavier engine, anyhow it was a disappointment and production was phased out in 1941.

M-62 (Ash-62IR variant)
Power rating: 820/1,000 hp (increased to 840/1,000 in later version)
Displacement: 29.87 l (1,822 in³)
Weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)

M-87(developed Gnome-Rhone 14K)
Power rating: 800/950 hp
Displacement: 36.85 l (2,359 in³)
Weight: 640 kg (1,411 lb)