Tupolev Tu-114

The Tu-114 Rossiya (Russia) was developed with a civilian fuselage and the wings and engines of the Tu-20 bomber, codenamed ‘Bear’ by NATO.

The Tu-114 flew for the first time on 3 October 1957 and remained the world’s largest and heaviest commercial aircraft until the introduction of the Boeing 747. The prototype Tu-114, named Rossiya (Russia) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1917 Revolution, established a large number of speed, height and distance records with payloads of up to 66,216lb (30,035 kg).

The first public appearance was at the 1959 Paris Airshow.

On April 9, 1960 Tu-114 set the world speed record with 25000kg payload on a 5000 km circuit at 877.212kph.

The production versions entered Aerofllot service since 1961. Seating 170 on internal services or 120 on intercontinental routes, the Tu-114 proved fast and reliable and operated Moscow-Havana, Moscow-Delhi, Moscow-Montreal and Moscow-Tokyo services until replaced by the four-jet Ilyushin Il-62 from 1967. Many speed and altitude with payload records set by the Tu-114 stood for many years. Its final retirement on international routes came in 1969, and the last domestic services were flown in 1973.

About 30 Tu-114s were built and about 10 surviving Tu-114s were retired and converted to Tu-126 ‘Moss’ configuration as airborne early warning platforms for the Soviet air force.

Engines: 4 x Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprop, 14,795 eshp / 11033kW
Props: 8 ft 41 in (5.60 m) diameter 8-blade contra rotating
Wing span: 167 ft 8 in (51.10 m)
Length: 177 ft 6 in (54.10m)
Height: 15.5 m / 51 ft 10 in
Wing area: 3,349 sq ft (311.1sq.m)
Empty weight: 91000 kg / 200622 lb
Gross weight: 376,990 lb (171,000 kg)
Max cruising speed: 478 mph (770 km/h) at 29,500 ft (9,000m)
Range: 3,850 miles (6,200km) with max payload of 66,140 lb (30,000 kg)
Ceiling: 12000 m / 39350 ft
Accommodation: Crew of 10-15 (Incl cabin staff) and 120-220 passengers