Tupolev Tu-104 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tu-104 |
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| Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104B at Arlanda Airport in 1972 | |
| Role | Narrow-body jet airliner |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev OKB |
| Designer | Andrei Tupolev |
| First flight | 17 June 1955 |
| Introduction | 15 September 1956 (Aeroflot) |
| Retired | 1981 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Aeroflot ČSA |
| Produced | 1956–1960 |
| Number built | 201 |
| Developed from | Tupolev Tu-16 |
| Variants | Tupolev Tu-110 Tupolev Tu-124 |
The Tupolev Tu-104 (known as Camel by NATO) was a famous Soviet airplane. It was a jet airliner, which means it used jet engines to fly passengers. This plane was designed by the Tupolev company. It was very special because it was one of the first successful jet airliners in the world.
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A New Era of Flight
The Tu-104 was designed in the Soviet Union. Its first flight happened on 17 June 1955. This was an exciting time for air travel! Just a year later, on September 15, 1956, the plane started carrying passengers for Aeroflot, the main Soviet airline.
From Bomber to Passenger Jet
The Tu-104 was based on an earlier Soviet bomber plane called the Tupolev Tu-16. Designers took parts of the bomber, like its wings and engines, and added a new body for passengers. This helped them build the jet airliner faster. It was a clever way to create a new type of plane quickly.
What Made the Tu-104 Special?
The Tu-104 was one of the first jet airliners to fly regular passenger routes. Before this, most passenger planes used propellers. Jet engines allowed planes to fly much faster and higher. This made journeys quicker and smoother for travelers.
Design and Features
- Two Engines: The Tu-104 had two powerful jet engines. They were placed in the wings, close to the body of the plane.
- Passenger Capacity: Early versions could carry about 50 passengers. Later models, like the Tu-104B, could hold up to 100 people.
- Speed: It could fly at speeds of about 950 kilometers per hour (590 miles per hour). This was very fast for its time!
- Range: The plane could travel long distances, connecting cities across the Soviet Union and beyond.
Where Did It Fly?
The main user of the Tu-104 was Aeroflot. It flew many routes within the Soviet Union. It also made international flights, showing off Soviet aviation technology to the world.
Other Users
Besides Aeroflot, the only other airline to use the Tu-104 for passengers was ČSA (Czechoslovak Airlines). They used a few of these planes for their own routes. The Tu-104 also served in the Soviet military for transport and training.
End of an Era
The Tu-104 was a very important plane in aviation history. It helped show that jet travel was the future. However, newer and more efficient jet airliners were soon developed.
The Tu-104 was retired from passenger service in 1981. Many of these planes had flown for over 20 years. Some were kept for military use for a little longer. Today, you can find some Tu-104 planes in museums, reminding us of their role in the early days of jet travel.
Images for kids
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Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104B at Arlanda Airport in 1968, with drag parachute deployed.
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Czechoslovak Airlines Tu-104A at Kbely Aviation Museum, Prague
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A Tu-104 statue near Vnukovo Airport
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CSA Czechoslovak Airlines Tupolev Tu-104A at Arlanda Airport in 1971.
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Wreckage of the Czechoslovak Airlines Tupolev Tu-104 (OK-MDE) near Nicosia airport (2015)
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Tu-104 on 1958 Soviet stamp
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See also
In Spanish: Túpolev Tu-104 para niños
