User:Le Grand Bleu/Tu-116

The Tupolev Tu-116 (Russian: Tyполев Тy-116) is a turboprop-powered long-range airliner designed by the Tupolev design bureau and built in the USSR.

Development[edit]

Tu-116, like Tu-114 was based on strategic bomber Tu-95. Both airliners were developed in parallel with Tu-116 taking priority due to numerous visits of Nikita Khrushev to both Western and Eastern countries during Khrushchev Thaw. The airplane's brief was to transport the head of state together with the security detail and entourage. The need for 114 was justified by the Krushev's coming visit to the United States at which time Tu-116 might not have been ready.

Initially the airliner was to be developed very quickly, a little over a year, due to relative simplicity of modifications. However, the initial introduction date was moved from September, 1956, to 1957 because Tupolev Design Bureau was overloaded with military orders.

The airliner received the designation Tu-114D ("Diplomatic").

Design[edit]

The airliner was to transport 24 passengers including a cook, a flight attendant, a navigator-announcer to inform the passengers about the flight, and, when necessary, 10-12 armed guards.

Technically, the airliner wasn't much different from the original Tu-95. All protective and bombing equipment was removed, and the space behind the wings was given to two passenger cabins, a lavatory, a wardrobe, and a service room with a total area of 70 square meters. Illuinators were cut it the fuselage. The first passenger cabin held 6-8 passengers, the second one was designed for three VIP-passengers. The cabin was eqiupped with beds and couches.

The pressurized cabin led to a short hallway with a staircase which was lowered to allow access from the ground. It also served as an emergency exit.

The crew consisted of two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, flight mechanic and radio operator.

Service[edit]

After flight testing, both airliners were transfered to Soviet Air Force and served for various purposes until early 1990's.

Specifications (Tu-114)[edit]

General characteristics

• Crew: 7-8
• Capacity: 24 passengers (60 pax. max)
• Length: 151 ft 6 in (46.17 m)
• Wingspan: 177 ft 6 in (54.1 m)
• Height: 50 ft 10 in (15.5 m)
• Wing area: 3,349 sq ft (311.1 m²)
• Empty weight: 206,132 lb (93,500 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 401,241 lb (182,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops driving contra-rotating props, 15,000 hp (11,000 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 560 mph (900 km/h, 490 kn)
• Cruise speed: 500 mph (800 km/h, 430 kn)
• Range: 6,680 mi (10,750 km, 5,800 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 39,000 ft (12,000 m)
• Wing loading: 86.2 lb/sq ft (421 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 168 W/kg (0.102 hp/lb)

Category:Soviet airliners 1950–1959 Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft with contra-rotating propellers Category:Turboprop aircraft