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Tupolev Tu-110

Commercial · Early Jet (1946–1969)

Tupolev Tu-110 — Commercial
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The Tupolev Tu-110 was a four-engine derivative of the Tu-104 jet airliner — Tupolev's experimental answer to the perceived safety problems of the twin-engine Tu-104. Andrei Tupolev's design bureau developed the Tu-110 in 1956-1957; the prototype first flew on 11 March 1957. Only 4 Tu-110s were built; the type was cancelled in 1960 in favour of the conceptually-similar but more-capable Tu-104B and the new Tu-114 turboprop airliner. The Tu-110 served Aeroflot briefly 1959-1962 before retirement.

The Tu-110 used the Tu-104's airframe with 4 × Lyulka AL-7P turbojet engines (15,000 lbf each, replacing the Tu-104's 2 × Mikulin AM-3 wingroot installations). The 4-engine configuration provided better single-engine-out safety margins and slightly higher maximum takeoff weight. Maximum speed 1,000 km/h, range 3,400 km, service ceiling 11,400 m. Capacity: 100 passengers in standard layout. The aircraft retained the Tu-104's cabin and most systems.

Tu-110 service was minimal. Only 4 airframes were built; Aeroflot operated them on a small number of routes 1959-1962 as a stepping-stone evaluation against the more-numerous Tu-104B. The 4-engine layout's safety advantages were offset by notably more higher operating costs and complexity. The Soviet aviation industry chose to instead invest in the new Tu-104B (with improved Tu-104 wing tip extensions and Soviet's first auto-pilot) and the larger Tu-114 turboprop. The Tu-110 was retired in 1962; no airframes survive.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev Tu-110 was a Soviet experimental jet airliner from the late 1950s. It was built to fix a safety problem with the two-engine Tu-104. The Tu-110 had four engines instead of two, which made it much safer if one engine failed.

Only four Tu-110s were ever built. The first one flew in March 1957. The plane used the same body and wings as the Tu-104, but it had four smaller Lyulka AL-7P engines instead of two big Mikulin engines.

With four engines, the plane could keep flying even if two engines died in flight. It could carry 100 passengers. The Tu-110 was about as long as a school football field. Its top speed was around 620 mph.

The Tu-110 served Aeroflot briefly between 1959 and 1962. Then the Soviet airline decided the project was not worth the trouble. The improved Tu-104B and the new Tu-114 turboprop could do the same job for less money. The Tu-110 was cancelled in 1960.

Fun Facts

  • Only four Tu-110s were ever built.
  • The plane was a four-engine version of the two-engine Tu-104.
  • It could keep flying even if two engines died in flight.
  • The Tu-110 carried 100 passengers.
  • Aeroflot flew the Tu-110 briefly between 1959 and 1962.
  • The project was cancelled because cheaper planes could do the same job.

Kids’ Questions

Why did the Tu-110 have four engines instead of two?

The two-engine Tu-104 was risky because losing an engine in flight was a big problem. With four engines, the plane could still fly safely if one or even two engines failed. This was much safer for passengers and crew.

Why was the Tu-110 cancelled?

Four engines cost much more to buy and to run than two engines. The newer Tu-104B was made safer with better engines, and the Tu-114 turboprop was already on its way. Aeroflot decided the Tu-110 was not worth the extra money.

Variants

Tu-110 (4-engine prototype)
All 4 airframes built 1957-1960. AL-7P turbojets. Aeroflot operated briefly 1959-1962.

Notable Operators

Aeroflot (1959-1962)
Sole operator. 4 airframes operated on selected Soviet domestic routes for evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Tu-110 cancelled?

The 4-engine layout's safety advantages were offset by notably more higher operating costs and complexity than the twin-engine Tu-104. Soviet aviation strategy favoured the Tu-104B (with refined Tu-104 wing modifications + Soviet's first autopilot) for short-/medium-haul and the new Tupolev Tu-114 turboprop for long-haul. The Tu-110 fell between these niches and was cancelled after 4 prototype/pre-production airframes.

How is the Tu-110 different from the Tu-104?

Same airframe and cabin as the Tu-104. The Tu-110 has 4 × Lyulka AL-7P turbojet engines (in pairs on the wings) instead of the Tu-104's 2 × Mikulin AM-3 wingroot engines. Otherwise identical cockpit, cabin, landing gear, and most systems.

Did the Tu-110 ever enter scheduled passenger service?

Briefly. Aeroflot operated the 4 airframes on selected Soviet domestic routes 1959-1962 for evaluation against the Tu-104B. Passenger loads averaged about 60% of Tu-104B equivalent. The 4 airframes were retired in 1962 and scrapped.

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