How the Soviets One Upped The West: The TU-114 Story

[dexter]

Until the mid 1950’s, small short-range airliners like the twin engined IL-14 were really the only type the Soviet Union produced. And that meant flying across the country’s vast territory required multiple stops for refueling. The exhausting flight could take could take over 24 hours and require multiple stops for refueling. The need for a new Soviet airliner was clearly pressing, especially since the country’s new leader Nikita Khrushchev had a much more open stance with the West and plans for visits around the world.

In 1955 the Tupolev Design Bureau was given a directive to convert the Tu-95 intercontinental strategic bomber into an airliner. It would be the quickest way to build the Soviet Union a new long-range airliner. Two parallel projects were launched. The first aimed to minimally modify the Tu-95 and convert it into a VIP transport for Soviet Heads of State (Tu-116). A second, more ambitious project aimed to turn the Tu-95 into a proper airliner (Tu-114).

The Tu-114 was significantly modified, but still retained the Tu-95’s powerful turboprop engines and swept wings, which were mounted lower to accommodate a wider fuselage. Other design changes include larger flaps, a taller nose gear and new stabilizers. The Tu-116 airliner is most notable for its incredible maximum speed of 880 km/h (550 mph), which is comparable to modern-day jet-powered airliners. It also boasted a very impressive (for it’s day) range of 10,900 km (6,800 mi). Early versions were configured in a three-class layout, which was rather unconventional for a Soviet Airliner. Features included, large tables, private sleeping cabins and a dining lounge served by a full-size kitchen in the lower deck . Entering service in 1961, only 32 Tu-116 were produced and they served with Aeroflot for 16 years, until they were finally retired from civilian service in 1977.

@vostok

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Nice but a 1958 era Boeing 707 jet had a max speed of over 1000kph/600mph.

 

[aziqbal]

no doubt Soviet Union went from farmers to astronauts with a few decades

but communism didn't work

 

[Nilgiri]

Very well put together video.

Mustard was an instant subscribe from me when I first came across it @dexter ...I can see him getting to 1M and then many million more subs over time...the quality and material is very good.

Nice but a 1958 era Boeing 707 jet had a max speed of over 1000kph/600mph.

True, but given this is a turboprop...it is quite the accomplishment. The hairline cracks forming in the engines give an idea as to the engineering problems present by the resonance vibrations/modes of the system (something I worked on a long time ago)...so for its time, it was pushing the frontier in many ways. Turbofans of course would eventually dominate much more elegantly (in this performance requirement envelope), but in the 50s there was little way to know that quite yet.

@Signalian @django @Joe Shearer @Hell hound @Zibago @jhungary @TOPGUN @Vergennes @Game.Invade @LeGenD @Mage @VCheng @hellfire @Oscar @Indus Pakistan @OsmanAli98

 

[VCheng]

True, but given this is a turboprop...it is quite the accomplishment. The hairline cracks forming in the engines give an idea as to the engineering problems present by the resonance vibrations/modes of the system (something I worked on a long time ago)...so for its time, it was pushing the frontier in many ways. Turbofans of course would eventually dominate much more elegantly (in this performance requirement envelope), but in the 50s there was little way to know that quite yet.

The Bear platform is one of the best turboprops ever built, without a doubt, a feat made more impressive given how long ago it was designed and produced.

For another similar feat of engineering, anybody remember the tubes used in the electronics of the Foxbat that were a marvel indeed, perhaps unmatched even today.

 

[dexter]

Very well put together video.

Mustard was an instant subscribe from me when I first came across it @dexter ...I can see him getting to 1M and then many million more subs over time...the quality and material is very good.



True, but given this is a turboprop...it is quite the accomplishment. The hairline cracks forming in the engines give an idea as to the engineering problems present by the resonance vibrations/modes of the system (something I worked on a long time ago)...so for its time, it was pushing the frontier in many ways. Turbofans of course would eventually dominate much more elegantly (in this performance requirement envelope), but in the 50s there was little way to know that quite yet.

Yeah he is truly an aviation enthusiast like Wndover productions and aviation race in cold war is an interesting part of aviation history and makes these videos worthy of being shared.