The Be-6 was a long-range maritime patrol/reconnaisance flying boat, which first flew in 1947. Around 20 were delivered to China, where they remained in service with the Chinese Navy until the late 1990s. An unknown number of Be-6s were modified by the Chinese with turboprop engines (China didn't operate any of the Be-6's turboprop-powered successor, the Be-12), and this extremely rare aircraft is one of these, also being one of only three known Be-6s preserved anywhere.