Tupolev Tu-116
| Tu-116 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev OKB |
| First flight | 1957[1] |
| Primary user | Soviet Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | Tupolev Tu-95 |
The Tupolev Tu-116 (Russian: Тy-116) is a turboprop-powered long-range airliner designed by the Tupolev design bureau and built in the USSR.
Development
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 internal code Tu-114D ("Diplomatic"), which later created some confusion - the Tu-114D was also the official designation of the long-range variant for trans-atlantic flights, the letter D standing for "dalniy" (Russian for "long-range"), which also had 64 total passenger seats.
Design
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
The two Tu-116 were modified from two regular Tu-95 MSN 402 and 409. Neither was ever used to transport the head of state.
After flight testing, both airliners were transfered to Soviet Air Force and served for various purposes until early 1990's.
Specifications (Tu-114)
General characteristics
- Crew: 7-8
- Capacity: 24 passengers (60 pax. max)
Performance