Piotr Butowski reveals the story behind the Soviets’ legendary supersonic airliner that challenged Concorde
Tu-144, one of only two supersonic airliners in the history of aviation, is the pride of Russia. By implementing its programme, the Soviet aviation industry took a vast technological leap forward.However, the programme also consumed a colossal resource and, ultimately, turned out to be a white elephant.
The story began in the 1950s , when a fascination with the speed of flight developed. Military aircraft were flying faster and faster, so it was no wonder people began to consider the possibility of a supersonic passenger airplane.
Initially, Russian concepts were based on bomber aircraft, such as the M-50 Bounder, though the designs varied, with proposed passenger numbers from 40 to 120 people.
In 1960, Sergei Ilyushin’s OKB-240 design bureau conceived the Il-66, which was to carry 100 passengers at a speed of 1,860mph (3,000kph).
At this time, the OKB-156 experimental design bureau headed by Andrei Tupolev was designing a supersonic strategic bomber, the Tu-135, and considering a civil Tu-135P version, capable of carrying 100 to 120 passengers at a speed of up to 1,370mph for more than 2,80…
