Tu-4
Quick Summary
The Tupolev Tu-4 (NATO designation "Bull") was the Soviet Union's first strategic bomber capable of reaching the continental United States. It was developed by the Tupolev design bureau and first flew in 1947. The Tu-4 was essentially a reverse-engineered copy of the American Boeing B-29 Superfortress, three of which had made emergency landings in the Soviet Far East.12
This aircraft served as the USSR's principal strategic bomber until the mid-1950s. It was powered by four piston engines and carried a crew of eleven. Its offensive capability included the capacity to carry two nuclear bombs or up to 9,000 kg (20,000 pounds) of conventional bombs. The Tu-4 was later superseded by jet bombers such as the Myasishchev M-4 and the Tupolev Tu-95.13
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Andrey Nikolayevich TupolevThis project resulted in the Tu-4 (NATO designation “Bull”), which first flew in 1947 and was the U.S.S.R.’s principal strategic bomber until the mid-1950s.
Read MoreThis project resulted in the Tu-4 (NATO designation “Bull”), which first flew in 1947 and was the U.S.S.R.’s principal strategic bomber until the mid-1950s.
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Tupolev…of this effort was the Tu-4, the first truly strategic Soviet bomber. Tupolev simultaneously converted the Tu-4 for civilian use as the Tu-70, setting a precedent that he would later follow for several other military aircraft. In the 1950s, the design bureau produced the swept-wing turboprop Tu-95 in response to…
Read More…of this effort was the Tu-4, the first truly strategic Soviet bomber. Tupolev simultaneously converted the Tu-4 for civilian use as the Tu-70, setting a precedent that he would later follow for several other military aircraft. In the 1950s, the design bureau produced the swept-wing turboprop Tu-95 in response to…
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