In 1956, Robert Ludvigovich Bartini approached the Beriev design bureau with a proposal for a Wing-In-Ground-effect vehicle (WIG). The Be-1 became the first experimental prototype, used for exploring the stability and control of wing-in-ground-effect aircraft.
The Be-1 featured two floats with very low aspect ratio wing sections between them and small normal wing panels extending outside the floats. Surface-piercing hydrofoils were mounted on the underside of the floats. The aircraft was powered by a single Tumansky RU-19 turbojet, mounted above the wing. The Be-1 was also equipped with landing gear. The aircraft was operated between 1961 and 1964. The first flight from water was made in 1964.[1][2]
