Reading level:

Tupolev Tu-114

Early Jet (1946–1969)

Tupolev Tu-114 — Fixed Wing
Open in interactive gallery →See aircraft like this on the live radar →

The Tupolev Tu-114 (NATO reporting name Cleat) was a Soviet four-engine long-range turboprop airliner — at its 1957 first flight, the fastest, largest, and longest-range turboprop airliner in the world. Andrei Tupolev derived the Tu-114 from the Tu-95 Bear long-range bomber, retaining the bomber's swept wings, engines, and tail with an entirely new larger-diameter pressurised airliner fuselage. The Tu-114 first flew on 15 November 1957; 32 Tu-114s were built between 1958 and 1965 at Kuibyshev (Samara) Plant No. 18. Aeroflot operated the type from April 1961 through 1976.

The Tu-114 used 4 × Kuznetsov NK-12M contra-rotating turboprop engines (15,000 shp each — the world's most-powerful turboprop). Maximum speed 870 km/h, range 8,800 km with full load, service ceiling 12,000 m. Capacity: 170-220 passengers depending on configuration. The aircraft was famous for its enormous size (1.4-metre-larger fuselage cross-section than contemporary Boeing 707 / Douglas DC-8 jets) and its dramatic visual signature — the contra-rotating propellers were 5.6 m in diameter and the propeller-tip Mach number routinely exceeded 1.0, causing intense supersonic vortex noise.

Tu-114 service was concentrated on Aeroflot main-line long-haul international routes. The Moscow-Havana (via Murmansk) route (15 hours, 11,000 km) and Moscow-Tokyo (joint operation with JAL via Anchorage) routes were the Tu-114's most-famous services. The aircraft also served Moscow-New York demonstration flights for diplomatic delegations. Despite its longer range than the contemporary Boeing 707, the Tu-114's operating economics never matched the 707's pure-jet efficiency; production stopped at 32 airframes in 1965. The type was retired from Aeroflot service in 1976 in favour of the Ilyushin Il-62 four-engine jet airliner. About 4 Tu-114 airframes survive in 2026 at Russian aviation museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev Tu-114 was a huge Soviet airliner with four big turboprop engines. When it first flew in 1957, it was the largest and fastest turboprop airliner in the world. The plane could also fly farther than any other turboprop airliner.

The Tu-114 was built from parts of the Tu-95 Bear bomber. Tupolev took the bomber's swept wings, engines, and tail and added a new bigger round body. The new body was 1.4 meters wider than the bomber's.

Each of the four engines was called the NK-12M. These were the most powerful turboprop engines ever built. The plane could carry between 170 and 220 passengers. It is longer than a school football field.

The Tu-114 was very fast for a turboprop. It could fly at 540 mph, which is faster than many early jets. The plane started flying for Aeroflot in 1961 and stayed in service until 1976. Only 32 Tu-114s were built because the new Il-62 jet airliner took over the long-distance routes.

Fun Facts

  • The Tu-114 was the largest, fastest, and longest-range turboprop airliner ever built.
  • It used the same wings and engines as the Tu-95 Bear bomber.
  • Each engine was the NK-12M — the most powerful turboprop ever made.
  • The plane could carry up to 220 passengers.
  • Only 32 Tu-114s were built between 1958 and 1965.
  • The Tu-114 was so fast for a turboprop that it could outrun some early jet airliners.

Kids’ Questions

What is a turboprop engine?

A turboprop is a jet engine that turns a propeller instead of pushing air out the back. The hot air from the jet spins a shaft, which spins the propeller, which pulls the plane forward. Turboprops use less fuel than pure jets at lower speeds, so they are great for medium-distance flying.

Why were only 32 Tu-114s built?

The new Soviet Il-62 jet airliner came out in the 1960s and was faster, quieter, and more comfortable. Aeroflot decided to focus on the new jet for long-distance flights. The 32 Tu-114s were enough to handle the routes until the Il-62 took over.

Variants

Tu-114 (170 pax)
Initial production with 170-passenger configuration. About 16 built.
Tu-114D / Tu-114E (220 pax)
High-density 220-passenger configuration. About 16 built. Used on Soviet domestic long-haul routes.

Notable Operators

Aeroflot (1961-1976)
Sole large user. International long-haul routes — Moscow-Havana, Moscow-Tokyo (with JAL), Moscow-Delhi, Moscow-Conakry, demonstration flights to New York and Paris.
Soviet Government VIP transport
Several Tu-114s served as Soviet Premier / Foreign Minister VIP transports. The Tu-114 carried Nikita Khrushchev on his September 1959 visit to the United States — the first Soviet leader's official visit to America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Tu-114 the fastest turboprop airliner ever?

Yes — and still is. The Tu-114's 870 km/h maximum cruise speed remains unmatched by any other turboprop airliner. Contemporary Western turboprop airliners (Lockheed L-188 Electra, Bristol Britannia) cruised at 650-720 km/h. The Tu-114's speed came from the Tu-95's swept wings and the enormous Kuznetsov NK-12 contra-rotating propeller engines. No subsequent civilian turboprop has approached the Tu-114's speed because supersonic propeller-tip noise made the configuration uncommercially loud.

Did the Tu-114 ever fly to America?

Yes — but only on diplomatic visits. The Tu-114 carried Nikita Khrushchev to Washington D.C. on his September 1959 official visit (the first Soviet leader's official visit to the United States). The aircraft flew Moscow-Washington direct over the polar route. Aeroflot also operated demonstration flights to New York in 1959-1962. The aircraft never operated scheduled commercial service to the United States; the Cold War political situation precluded scheduled Aeroflot-American direct services until decades later.

Why was Tu-114 production so small?

Operating economics. The Tu-114's pure-prop powerplants were significantly more fuel-economic per seat-mile than contemporary Boeing 707 turbofans, BUT the propeller-tip supersonic noise made long-duration cruise uncomfortable for passengers and the airframe maintenance was demanding. By the mid-1960s, Aeroflot had transitioned to the Ilyushin Il-62 four-engine jet airliner (modelled after the Vickers VC10), which had similar range with much-lower cabin noise.

How is the Tu-114 different from the Tu-95?

The Tu-114 uses the Tu-95 Bear's swept wings, NK-12 engines, tail, and landing gear. The fuselage is entirely different — a much-larger-diameter pressurised airliner fuselage replacing the bomber's narrow bomb-bay-equipped fuselage. About 60% airframe commonality with the Tu-95.

Sources

See Also