Tupolev Tu-114 - Development

Development

In response to a directive No.1561-868 from the Council of Ministers and Ministry of Aircraft Production order No.571, issued in August 1955, the Tupolev Design Bureau was to create an airliner that had a range of 8,000 km (4,971 mi), based on the Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber, powered by 4 powerful Kuznetsov NK-12 engines driving massive contra-rotating propellers.

The Tu-114 used the basic wing, empennage, landing gear, and powerplants of the Tu-95 bomber, mated to a totally new pressurized fuselage of much larger diameter. To cope with the increased weight, increased landing flap surface area was required, and the flap chord was increased compared to the bomber's flaps. The wing was mounted low on the fuselage, giving the Tu-114 a much higher stance on its landing gear than the bomber. As a result a new nose landing gear strut was required, although the main landing gear remained unchanged.

The Tu-114 was able to reach speeds typical of modern jetliners (880 km/h), carrying up to 224 passengers in maximum carriage configuration, although a more usual number for long-distance transcontinental flights was 170 passengers which enabled the planes to be fitted with such luxuries as sleeping berths and even a dining lounge for the upper class cabin.

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