Basic performance of a typical late-production Tupolev Tu-4

Basic performance of a typical late-production Tupolev Tu-4

A Tupolev Tu-4 at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino (SDASM Archives)

The Tupolev Tu-4 was a strategic bomber that was developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1940s. It was the first Soviet heavy bomber and was based on the American B-29 Superfortress. In order to create the Tu-4, the Soviet Union embarked on a huge reverse-engineering effort. The production of the Tu-4 marked a major technological boost for the Soviet aircraft and avionics industries. Additionally, the Tu-4 was progressively upgraded during its production run, which started in 1947 and ended in 1953.

The following is the basic performance typical late-production Tu-4:

Empty weight36,850kg (81,240lb )
All up weight :
  • normal
  • 47,850kg (105,490lb )
  • maximum
  • 55,600-63,600kg (122,575-140,210lb )
    Top speed (with normal AUW ):
  • at sea level
  • 435km /h (270.0mph )
  • at 10,250m (33,630ft )
  • 558km /h (346.5mph ) 4,200km (2,608miles )5,400km
    Service ceiling:11,200m (36,745ft )
    Climb time to 5,000m (16,400ft )18.2minutes
    Range at 3,000 m (9,840 ft) with 10% fuel reserves:
  • with a 55,600-kg (122,575-1b) AUW/1,500 kg (3,310 lb) of bombs
  • 4,200 km (2,608 miles)
  • with a 63,600-kg (140,210-1b) AUW/3,000 kg (6,610 lb) of bombs
  • 5,400 km (3,354 miles)
  • with a 63,600-kg AUW/9,000 kg (19,840 lb) of bombs
  • 3,580 km (2,223 miles)
    Range at 3,000 m (9,840 ft) until fuel exhaustion:
  • with a 55,600-kg AUW/1,500 kg of bombs
  • 4,850 km (3,012 miles)
  • with a 63,600-kg AUW/3,000 kg of bombs
  • 6,200 km (3,850 miles)
  • with a 63,600-kg AUW/9,000 kg of bombs
  • 4,100 km (2,546 miles)
    Take-off run:
  • with a normal AUW
  • 960m (3,150ft )
  • with a 55,600-kg AUW
  • 1,255m (4,120ft )
  • with a 63,600-kg AUW
  • 2,000m (6,560ft )
    Take-off field length :
  • with a normal AUW
  • 2,210m (7,250ft )
  • with a 55,600-kg AUW
  • 2,585m (8,480ft )
  • with a 63,600-kg AUW
  • 3,830m (12,565ft )
    Landing run :
  • with a 47,850-kg (105,490-lb )landing weight
  • 1,070m (3,510ft )
  • with a 41,000-kg (90,390-lb )landing weight
  • 920m (3,020m )
    Landing speed :
  • with a 47,850-kg landing weight
  • 172km /h (107mph )
  • with a 41,000-kg landing weight
  • 160km /h (99mph )

    Further reading

    Source

    Tupolev Tu-4: The First Soviet Strategic Bomber by Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov

    Javier Guerrero
    Javier Guerrero
    Javier is the editor @ Nuclear Companion and loves to investigate and write about the cold war.

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