Design
The Tu-114 had several unique technological features for its time such as:
- Wings swept back at 35 degrees – the same angle as for the Boeing 707 and several other jet airliners
- Powerful Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops, the most powerful turboprop engines ever produced, each driving two AV-60H contra-rotating four-bladed reversible-pitch propellers.
- Lower deck galleys. A lift for meal transport connected the galley to the upper deck; originally a member of the crew was a chef.
- Lower deck aircrew rest area.
- Long landing gear (the nose gear is 3 m high) due to its large propeller diameter. Many destination airports did not have steps tall enough to reach the Tu-114's cabin door because of this.
Early Tu-114s were also unique within Aeroflot for their three class layout, differing in comfort: economy, first and deluxe. In the front economy cabin were set 41 (3x3) seats, the middle first-class cabin had 48 seats with tables and table lamps, followed by four compartments for 24 day or 12 beds and the third cabin located 54 passenger seats in a 3x3 arrangement. Later, these compartments were dismantled and replaced with the usual passenger seats. The design was not without shortcomings. Passengers on the Tu-114 endured high noise levels (108–112 dB) and vibrations from the engines.
Read more about this topic: Tupolev Tu-114
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