Tupolev Tu-104

The Tupolev Tu-104 (NATO reporting name: Camel) was a twin-engined medium-range turbojet-powered Russian airliner. It was the first jet-powered passenger aircraft in regular service, and the second jet-powered passenger aircraft in the world; the Tu-104 shocked western observers when it arrived in London in 1956 for an official state visit.

Tu-104, one of the earliest jetliners

The Tu-104 was developed in response to an urgent Aeroflot need for a modern airliner with better capacity and performance than anything then in operation. It was adapted from the Tupolev Tu-16 strategic bomber. A new wider pressurized fuselage accommodating 50 passengers was mated to the wings, tail surfaces, and the engines of the Tu-16.

Some 200 total aircraft were built by the time production ended in 1960 and these continued in civil service with Aeroflot until 1981. A small number were also operated by the Czech national airline CSA which bought the Tu-104A configured for 81 passengers.

Once the type was removed from civil service, several were transferred to the military as staff transports and zero-g cosmonaut trainers.

Variants

Tu-104 – initial version seating 50 passengers.
Tu-104A – Continuing improvements in the Mikulin engines permitted significant growth in the Tu-104 resulting in a 70-seater variant. The Tu-104A became the definitive production variant.
- Tu-104D – Tu-104A airframes rebuilt to accommodate 85 passengers
- Tu-104V – Tu-104A airframes rebuilt to accommodate 100 passengers
Tu-104B – Further improvements were attained with the stretched Tu-104B fitted with new engines, the Mikulin AM-3M-500 turbojets, and able to accommodate 100 passengers.

Specifications (Tu-104)

General characteristics

Crew: seven – two pilots, one tailgunner, four others
Length: 40.05 m (131 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 34.54 m (113 ft 4 in)
Height: 11.90 m (39 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 184 m² (1,975 ft²)
Empty: 41,600 kg (91,710 lb)
Loaded: kg ( lb)
Maximum takeoff: 76,000 kg (167,550 lb)
Powerplant: 2 x Mikulin AM-3M-500 turbojets, 95.1 kN (21,385 lbf) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph)
Range: 2,650 km (1,430 miles)
Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
Rate of climb: 600 m/min (1,968 ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
Thrust-to-weight:

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Accidents of Tu-104