TB-1

aircraft

Also known as: ANT-4

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The TB-1, also known as ANT-4, was the world's first all-metal, twin-engine, cantilever-wing bomber. It was one of the largest aircraft built in the 1920s and was developed by the Tupolev design bureau, a major Russian aerospace company known for both civilian airliners and military bombers. The Tupolev organization was established in 1922 and has been involved in numerous aircraft projects, with a significant portion entering mass production. The TB-1 was a notable early achievement for the bureau, showcasing advancements in aircraft construction and design during that era.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Tupolev
…notable Soviet airplanes including the TB-1 (ANT-4), the world’s first all-metal, twin-engine, cantilever-wing bomber and one of the largest planes built in the 1920s. Two Tupolev aircraft from the early 1930s, the giant, eight-engine ANT-20 airliner (Maksim Gorky) and the ANT-25 bomber, set world records for size and long-distance flights,…
Read More
…notable Soviet airplanes including the TB-1 (ANT-4), the world’s first all-metal, twin-engine, cantilever-wing bomber and one of the largest planes built in the 1920s. Two Tupolev aircraft from the early 1930s, the giant, eight-engine ANT-20 airliner (Maksim Gorky) and the ANT-25 bomber, set world records for size and long-distance flights,…
Read More