Tupolev Tu-104

The Tupolev Tu-104 is a twin-engined medium-range turbojet powered Russian airliner.

Tupolev Tu-104
Tupolev Tu-104, one of the earliest jetliners
Description
Role	Airliner
Crew	3
First Flight
Entered Service	1956
Manufacturer	Tupolev
Dimensions
Length	40.05 m	131.40 ft
Wingspan	34.54 m	113.33 ft
Height	11.90 m	39.04 ft
Wing area	183.50 m²	1,975.24 ft²
Weights
Empty	41,600 kg	91,710 lb
Loaded	kg	lb
Maximum takeoff	76,000 kg	167,550 lb
Capacity	50-100 passengers
Powerplant
Engines	2x Mikulin AM-3M-500 turbojets
Thrust	190.26 kN	42,770 lb
Performance
Maximum speed	950 km/h	590 mph
Maximum Mach No.	0.88 at 32,810 ft (10,000 m)
Range	2,650 km	1,430 miles
Service ceiling	11,500 m	37,730 ft
Rate of climb	m/min	ft/min
Wing loading	kg/m²	lb/ft²
Thrust/Weight
Avionics
Avionics

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Variants 2.1 Tu-104 2.2 Tu-104A 2.3 Tu-104B 2.4 Tu-104D 2.5 Tu-104V 2.6 Tu-107 2.7 Tu-110

Introduction

The Tupolev Tu-104 was the first jet-powered passenger aircraft in regular service, and the second jet-powered passenger aircraft in the world; the Tu-104 shocked western observers when it arrived in London in 1956 for an official state visit.

The Tu-104 was developed in response to an urgent Aeroflot need for a modern airliner with better capacity and performance than anything then in operation. It was adapted from the Tupolev Tu-16 strategic bomber. A new wider pressurized fuselage accommodating 50 passengers was mated to the wings, tail surfaces, and the engines of the Tu-16.

Some 200 total aircraft were built by the time production ended in 1960 and these continued in civil service with Aeroflot until 1981. A small number were also operated by the Czech national airline CSA which bought the Tu-104A configured for 81 passengers.

Once the type was removed from civil service, several were transferred to the military as staff transports and zero-g cosmonaut trainers.

Variants

Tu-104

The initial version seating 50 passengers.

Tu-104A

Continuing improvements in the Mikulin engines permitted significant growth in the Tu-104 resulting in a 70-seater variant. The Tu-104A becomes the definitive production variant.

Tu-104B

Further improvements were attained with the stretched Tu-104B fitted with new engines, the Mikulin AM-3M-500 turbojets, and able to accommodate 100 passengers.

Tu-104D

Some of the Tu-104A airframes were rebuilt to accommodate 85 passengers, resulting in the Tu-104D.

Tu-104V

These are Tu-104A airframes rebuilt to accommodate 100 passengers.

Tu-107

Military transport variant featuring rear ramp loading door. Prototype built and flown but not put in production

Tu-110

This is a 4-engined variant powered by 4 Lyulka AL-5 turbojets rated at 12,125 lb. thrust each. It has a NATO reporting name of "Cooker". It was first flown in Mar 1957. A few built but not ordered by Aeroflot. They later served as Air Force flying testbeds.

Russian Civil Transport Aircraft
Design Bureau	Antonov - Beriev - Ilyushin - Kamov - MiG- Mil - Lavochkin - Sukhoi - Tupolev - Yakovlev
Type Designation	Tupolev Tu-104
NATO Codename	Camel
Related Variants (civil)	Tu-110
Military Variants	Tu-16 - Tu-107
Primary Designation Series	Tu-104 - Tu-114 - Tu-124 - Tu-134 - Tu-144 - Tu-154 - Tu204 - Tu-214 - Tu-334
Comparable/Similar Aircraft	De Havilland Comet

Related content
Related Development	Tu-16 - Tu-124
Designation Series	Tu-98 - Tu-99 - Tu-102 - Tu-104 - Tu-105 - Tu-107 - Tu-110
Related Lists	List of airliners

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