Main production models were designated simply as "R-5" and these carried M-17B engines initially before switching to the M-17F from 1933 onward. Total production resulted in 4,914 units. The "R-5Sh" was the dedicated ground-attack light bomber form and carried 4 x 7.62mm PV-1 machine guns at the wing mainplanes. The "R-5a" was a twin-float waterborne variant and 111 were produced from 1934 until 1935. The "R-5D" was a long-range variant that existed as a single example. The R-5 "Jumo" was a prototype utilizing side-by-side seating for two in an enlarged rear cockpit space. The "R-5M-34" was a testbed for the M-34 series engine. The "R-5T" were fifty single-seat torpedo bomber forms first flown in 1934 and built in 1935. A two-seat model allowed for an observer to be carried. The "R5-SSS" was an improved variant with additional performance-enhancing streamlining as well as more machine guns - production exceeding 100 units from 1935 until 1936.
Some 1,031 were built to the "R-Z" standard for the dedicated reconnaissance / light bomber role. First-flying in January 1935, this variant carried as many as seven machine guns into battle. The variant resulted in the "R-ZSh", "P-Z", "PT", and "R-ZR" sub-variants in time.
The Grigorovich design bureau modified one R-5 into a light-class ground-attack form in 1930 as the "LSh". The "TSh-1" was a heavy-class ground attacker carrying 6mm of armor plating but only three prototypes were completed. The "TSh-2" followed with a new lower wing mainplane member design that resulted in ten aircraft being built to the standard. The "ShON" was another light-attack entry but completed for the COunter-INsurgency (COIN) role with folding wings, improving transport and storage of the aircraft. Thirty were ordered and the variant was used against Basmachi Rebels in Central Asia for their time in the air.
The "P-5" became a civilian-minded Aeroflot light transport powered by the M-17B engine and 1,000 were produced into 1940. The limited-production "P.5a" featured twin floats for water landings and take-offs. The "R-5L", appearing in 1931, was another limited production form and this model included seating for two in a passenger cabin section. The "P-5L" was another passenger transport form, this appearing in 1933.
A new semi-monocoque fuselage construction approach was instituted in the "PR-5" and these carried four passengers when operated by Aeroflot. Some 210 were converted from existing airframe stocks to the new, all-modern standard. The "PR-12" was based in the PR-5 but production only totaled a single unit, this arriving in 1938.
The "ARK-5" were two Arctic exploration units that included a heated cockpit. It carried cargo in aerodynamic containers integrated into the lower sides and lower wing mainplane members to maintain lift-versus-drag efficiency.
In all, the R-5 was utilized by a handful of global operators beyond the Soviet Union - though they were largely Soviet-aligned nations of the period. These included Iran, Mongolia, Spain, and Turkey.
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