Does anyone remember Tupolev Tu-114, the fastest turboprop?

The Flight Detective
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The Tupolev Tu-114 was a long-range turboprop airliner produced in the Soviet Union. First flying on 15 November 1957, it entered service with Aeroflot on 24 April 1961.

To this day it holds the record as the fastest propeller-driven aircraft in the world. Four Kuznetsov NK-12MV engines driving two large contra-rotating propellers, coupled with 35 degree swept wing, meant the Tu-114 could reach speeds in excess of 800 kilometres per hour.

Tupolev Tu-114 Video

Following on from last weeks video on the Douglas DC-9, we head behind the iron curtain to find out about the Tupolev Tu-114. Running a little under 10 minutes, it is produced by Mustard who create my favourite videos on aircraft.

On Aeroflot’s international services, the aircraft typically seated 155 or 167 passengers with three classes – economy, first and deluxe. First class featured tables between facing seats like on a train, while deluxe had sleeping compartments. A lower deck galley was staffed by an on board chef to provide meals.

Services operated to various cities on the Aeroflot network, such as Copenhagen, Havana, Montreal, New Delhi, Paris and Belgrade. Flights between Moscow and Havana were non-stop, with seating reduced to 60 and additional fuel tanks added. Flights of 19 hours were not uncommon!

One interesting fact not mentioned in the video is that between 1967 and 1969, Japan Air Lines operated between Tokyo and Moscow in conjunction with Aeroflot. A two class, 105 seat layout was used for these flights.

How About A Vintage Russian Colour Promotional Film?

There is another film below which lasts just over 9 minutes, produced in 1959. Of course, it is all in Russian, but don’t let that detract from the experience.

Besides great air to air photography, there is loads happening in this film inside the aircraft. You’ll see cockpit views, then from about 3:45 we’re in the cabin, seeing the different seating, downstairs galley, meal service, sleeping berths, toilets and more. It’s a pretty cool thing to see!

Overall Thoughts

The Tupolev Tu-114 ceased regular service in 1976, replaced by more capable jet aircraft. Just 32 were built and there was only one accident, making it one of the safest Soviet airliners ever produced.

Due to its contra-rotating propellers, it was a very noisy aircraft both inside and out. I am sure the passengers would not have complained though, considering the regime of the time.

Did you ever see or fly on a Tupolev Tu-114? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by Mikhail A Toporikov via Airliners.net

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[…] in the 1970s as a replace­ment for the Tupolev Tu-126 Moss, a deriv­a­tive of the Tu-114 air­lin­er that had first entered ser­vice in 1965, seems to have been an impor­tant driver behind the […]

Jonathan

when flying was a real experience; maybe today we take it too much for granted. Classy interior for its day, puts 707s to shame.

Antony Hodgson

Here is a mystery that someone may be able to solve. Sometime in the mid 1970s (probably 1976 but can’t be sure) I thought I glimpsed a Tu114 near Newcastle. Sounds unlikely – indeed it is – but here is some context. I was 14-15 at the time and nuts about aircraft. I read and studied everything about aircraft that I could get hold of and I used to win all the aircraft recognition competitions, so I knew my stuff. In the 1970s, the traffic in North east airspace was fairly predictable. The same few regular flights into Newcastle airport… Read more »

[…] who worked in aviation for 33 years, is pretty confident that the T-shirt shows a Soviet Tu-114, a renowned airliner from the late 1950s until 1976 and the civilian counterpart to the Tu-95, a bomber. That would mean, according to the Washington […]

Charles Boone

Are there any surviving today?

Chuck Griffin

Well Trent, no one has responded so I’ll throw in my two cents. Much like the Connie, I never got to fly on one but from the pictures I’ve seen of it it looks like it was a mighty beast. It may have been the Connie/DC-7 of the Soviet era, more than enough plane but dated from day one. Any real av-geek would love to fly on one today, if any are airworthy (?), its too bad there isn’t a non-political organization dedicated to flying these planes of yesteryear, much like Virgin Classic did with the DC-3 here in the… Read more »

Jonathan

it was more of a counter to the 707 and dc8 rather than to the constellations and dc7. And far safer than the Comet

Samuel N. Jackson

Because this was the largest transport of it’s day, it would be like a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380 if it’s era carrying 224 passengers in a high density layout. I agree that it was more inline with the 707/DC-8/Vickers VC-10.

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