Tupolev Tu-114 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tu-114 Rossiya |
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| Aeroflot Tu-114 jointly operated with Japan Airlines, at Haneda Airport in 1965 | |
| Role | Airliner and strategic airlifter |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev OKB |
| First flight | 15 November 1957 |
| Introduction | 24 April 1961 |
| Retired | 1991 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Aeroflot Japan Airlines (in association with Aeroflot) Soviet Air Forces |
| Produced | 1958–1963 |
| Number built | 32 |
| Developed from | Tupolev Tu-95 |
| Variants | Tupolev Tu-126 |
The Tupolev Tu-114 «Rossiya» (which means "Russia" in Russian) was a very large and powerful airplane built in the Soviet Union. Its NATO reporting name was Cleat. It was a long-range airliner, meaning it could fly very far without stopping. This amazing aircraft was designed by a famous company called Tupolev.
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Meet the Tu-114 Rossiya
The Tu-114 was a special kind of airplane called a turboprop. This means it used engines that spun propellers, but these engines were like jet engines inside. This made the Tu-114 very fast for a propeller plane. It was one of the largest and fastest turboprop airliners ever made.
A Giant of the Skies
When the Tu-114 first flew in 1957, it was huge! It was bigger than most other passenger planes at the time. Its large size allowed it to carry many passengers and fly for very long distances. This was important for the Soviet Union, which is a very big country. The plane could connect cities far apart.
From Bomber to Airliner
What's really interesting about the Tu-114 is where it came from. It was actually based on a military bomber plane called the Tupolev Tu-95. The Tu-95 was a powerful long-range bomber. Tupolev engineers took the strong wings and engines of the Tu-95 and designed a new body for passengers. This made the Tu-114 very strong and reliable.
Flying High and Far
The Tu-114 was designed to fly across continents. It could travel from Moscow in the Soviet Union all the way to Havana, Cuba, without stopping. This was a very impressive feat for its time. It also flew to other distant places like Tokyo, Japan, and New York City in the United States. These long flights helped connect the Soviet Union with other parts of the world.
A Special Partnership
For a while, the Tu-114 was even used by Japan Airlines (JAL) in partnership with Aeroflot, the Soviet airline. This was a unique agreement. Japanese crews would fly the plane with Soviet crews on routes between Moscow and Tokyo. This showed how advanced the Tu-114 was.
Life as an Airliner
The Tu-114 started carrying passengers in 1961. It was known for being comfortable and spacious inside. It had a unique lower deck area that could be used for a kitchen or even a lounge. The plane served for many years, mainly with Aeroflot. It helped transport many people across vast distances.
End of an Era
The Tu-114 was a very successful plane, but over time, newer jet airplanes became more popular. Jet planes were even faster and quieter. The last Tu-114 passenger flights ended in the late 1970s. Some of these planes were then used by the Soviet Air Forces for special transport missions. The last Tu-114 was retired in 1991. Even though it's no longer flying, the Tu-114 remains an important part of aviation history. It showed what was possible with turboprop technology.
Images for kids
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Tu-114 at the Paris Air Show, 1961
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Tu-114 at Monino Museum.
See also
In Spanish: Túpolev Tu-114 para niños
