Shavrov Sh-7

The Shavrov Sh‑7 was a Soviet amphibious flying boat designed and built in the late 1930s by aircraft engineer Vadim Shavrov. Developed as a larger, more capable successor to the Sh‑2, the Sh‑7 first flew in 1935 and entered limited production in 1937. Its high‑mounted, cantilever gull‑wing accommodated two crew members and up to six passengers, while the hull, constructed of aluminum‑alloy panels over a wooden frame, provided buoyancy and allowed water take‑offs and landings. Powered by a single Shvetsov M‑25 radial engine mounted on a pylon above the wing, the aircraft delivered 750 hp, enabling a maximum speed of about 210 km/h and a range of roughly 800 km. The Sh‑7 featured retractable landing gear, a cockpit with dual controls, and a spacious cabin that could be quickly reconfigured for cargo, medical evacuation, or rescue missions. Although only a few dozen were built before production ceased in 1940, the Sh‑7 demonstrated the practicality of amphibious transports for Soviet riverine and coastal operations. Its design influenced later Soviet flying boats and highlighted Vadim Shavrov’s innovative approach to combining sea‑plane performance with conventional aircraft handling, marking an important step in the evolution of Soviet maritime aviation.

Vadim Shavrov

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