The Incredible Story of the Soviet Union's First Long-Range Airliner

🚀The TU-114 was converted from a strategic bomber into a VIP transport and a long-range airliner.

💨The TU-114 was the fastest propeller-driven airliner and had a cruising speed comparable to modern jet airliners.

🌍The TU-114 had an impressive range, allowing it to fly to far-flung destinations like Havana and Tokyo.

🔈The TU-114 was one of the loudest planes ever produced, with its powerful turboprop engines generating significant noise and vibration.

✈️The TU-114 served with Aeroflot for 16 years before being retired from civilian service in 1977.

What was the TU-114 originally designed for?

—The TU-114 was originally designed as a strategic bomber but was converted into a VIP transport and a long-range airliner.

How fast could the TU-114 fly?

—The TU-114 could reach speeds of up to 870 km/h, making it the fastest propeller-driven airliner of its time.

What was the range of the TU-114?

—The TU-114 had an impressive range that allowed it to fly to destinations like Havana, Montreal, and Tokyo.

Why was the TU-114 considered one of the loudest planes ever?

—The TU-114's powerful turboprop engines generated significant noise and vibration, making it one of the loudest planes ever produced.

When was the TU-114 retired?

—The TU-114 was retired from civilian service in 1977 after serving with Aeroflot for 16 years.

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00:12In 1959, the Soviet Union converted a strategic bomber into the TU-114, their first long-range airliner.

01:28The TU-114 was a show of Soviet superiority, with its impressive size and powerful turboprop engines.

03:33The TU-114 could reach speeds of up to 870 km/h, making it the fastest propeller-driven airliner of its time.

04:44The TU-114 was the largest airliner of its time, seating up to 224 passengers.

06:58The TU-114 served with Aeroflot for 16 years, carrying over six million passengers without a single design-related accident.

08:28In 1967, a new long-range jet-powered airliner entered service, leading to the TU-114 being removed from most international routes.

08:34The TU-114 continued to fly mainly within Soviet borders until it was retired from civilian service in 1977.