Ok, excluding all the bad press these aircraft get, what is your favourite Soviet built passenger jet? Do you like the rugged looks of the TU-154 or the robust Yak-40 or maybe the modern look of the TU-204? So What is your favourite Soviet built passenger aircraft?
Me? It was a toss between the TU-154 or the IL-86 but the later won. Why do I like these aircraft? Because it is one of best Soviet aircraft ever built in my opinion. This mammoth aircraft is Ilyushin’s own version of the L1011 or A300, yet seems more exicting to look at because of its unique and unusual Soviet characteristics.
http://www.bird.ch/Russians/Il86/17488c.jpg
You?
By: MSR777 - 20th January 2003 at 19:03
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
Thanks Kabir-Any info on this one gratefully recieved. The info that I put in my posting was from a book by Bill Gunston. He was definately of the opinion that the TU110 was a superior machine to the TU104 in terms of field performance and range. The info that you posted also sounds quite possible. I do prefer the TU110’s looks though!
The future is bright-The future is Airbus!
By: KabirT - 20th January 2003 at 09:58
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
TU 110 didnot proceed because it had magnetic problems. The centerpoint of the a/c was unbalanced because of over-length of the wings and the weight of the engines.
By: MSR777 - 19th January 2003 at 23:18
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-01-03 AT 11:19 PM (GMT)]Phantom-here she is in all her glory.The TU110 ,on further research I have found out that only the prototype was built although it did serve with Soviet A/F. According to statistics it was superior to TU104 but decision taken not to produce it in any number. Maybe because TU104 already in service?
Enjoy.
The future is bright-The future is Airbus!
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By: MSR777 - 19th January 2003 at 16:43
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
Hi Phantom-No I have not been in the Forum very long. As soon as I can dig one out I shall post a pic of TU110-I am no computer wizz kid but I’ll do my best!
The future is bright-The future is Airbus!
By: PhantomII - 18th January 2003 at 00:26
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
Thanks for the compliment Saab. I was wondering if people would think I was nuts for choosing the Tu-104.
And Interflug I had heard of the Tu-110 briefly, but I don’t know a whole lot about it. If you know anymore please do share as I am always eager to learn.
I don’t believe I’ve ever discussed aviation with you before. Are you new? If so, welcome to the forum. If you have any questions please send me a message. I’m always willing to help.
By: MSR777 - 17th January 2003 at 20:28
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
Phantom-Are you familiar with the TU110 which was a four engined version of the TU104? I believe that apart from a slightly increased wingspan to take in the extra engines,the airframe was identical. I think only two or three examples were built and they served in the transport service of the Soviet Air Force-again a lovely looking aircaft. Sorry if you knew about it already!
By: Saab 2000 - 17th January 2003 at 19:52
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
PII, you have excellent taste!
The TU-104 was a complete change from anything seen in the Soviet Union. Before this the Soviet Union air services had relied on old propliners like the Li-2, which were awfully unreliable for a country the size of the USSR. It was apparent there was a need for better and faster air connections within the Soviet Union and the TU-104 was the answer.
For a period of two years between 1956 and 1958 it was the only jetliner in operation in the world after the grounding of the Comet 1, which is a legacy for Soviet aviation.
By: PhantomII - 17th January 2003 at 17:47
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
That’s odd. Now the first picture isn’t working. I originally had three images and the first didn’t work so I took it off, but I didn’t look back to check if the other two were working. Now it appears only the last one is working. Why is this so?
What did I do wrong? I had some great pictures of it too.
By: KabirT - 17th January 2003 at 09:16
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
PII…brilliant choice….i love that a/c myself. Although it has one of the worst track records still it looks so nice!!
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By: PhantomII - 17th January 2003 at 04:20
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-01-03 AT 04:21 AM (GMT)]Call me strange, but even though it’s not in service, I like the Tu-104 Camel. Of course part of the reason is that I really like the Tu-16 Badger and variants. I just love the looks of that big swept-wing. Apparently, the Tu-104 served for quite a while (early 80’s when Aeroflot finally phased them out). Carrying anywhere from 50 to 100 passengers the Tu-104 was the original Soviet-built jet airliner. Here are some pictures:
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/tu104/tu104_04.jpg
http://www.feudal.cz/auction/files/Dubena_01.jpg
I think that last image has a nice nostalgic look to it.
Regarding modern Russian airliners I’d have to say I like the Il-96. The Il-86 looks neat to as it has some very 707-esque features to it, and anyone that knows me knows that I love the Boeing 707.
By: GFox - 16th January 2003 at 23:22
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?”
IL-62!!!!!!!!!
By: Hand87_5 - 14th January 2003 at 15:06
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?”
Mongu ,
You’re right but I guess that the question was :
Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?”
For sure I do prefer to fly on western types.
By: mongu - 14th January 2003 at 14:04
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
Aw come on folks, you’re just being naive and nostalgic. It’s like saying you like steam trains, but if you were waiting at the platform and one came along for the 7.10 to Euston you’d be pi**ed off!
The aircraft are excessively noisy, smelly, smoky and picking out a personal choice is a bit like choosing the best of a bad bunch! They epitomise all that was wrong with the USSR.
If I had a long haul flight to catch, I would NOT want to use a Russian aircraft over a Western type.
By: Hand87_5 - 14th January 2003 at 09:03
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-01-03 AT 09:04 AM (GMT)]I share Kabir’s preference for IL62
By: EGNM - 14th January 2003 at 00:17
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
here here!! – it’s a great airplane the 154 – beutiful to look at, can see it from miles off (thanks to smoke trail) and best of all NOISY!!!
By: Saab 2000 - 13th January 2003 at 19:26
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
It is good to see a posotive topic about Soviet aviation for once!
Anyway, I also like the TU-154. It is unequivocally the best selling Soviet aircraft and the workhorse of Soviet airlines. It is rugged, reliable, has a good range, has been an utter success and is definitely a real aircraft when you see all the smoke billowing out of it, why don’t they make them how they used to? :7
By: MSR777 - 13th January 2003 at 18:35
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
I have to say that my favourite Soviet built aircraft has to be the IL62,closely followed by both the TU134A and IL18. I flew some years ago on an Aeroflot IL62 from LHR to SVO,the return flight was on TU154. In 1987 I flew from LGW to TIA on an Interflug IL18 which took close on 5hrs! It was supposed to be a TU134 charter,I never did find out why the change,but what a substitute. I guess the only time that I felt uneasy on a Soviet transport was during a trip from Peking to Pyongyang on board a CAAK TU134A,a thunderstorm and non working seat belt being major contributions to my worries. Anyway I survived this and many other trips on Soviet built aircraft and, in the main, enjoyed them all. Good to see so many balanced responses to Saabs posting.
The future is bright-the future is Airbus
By: KabirT - 13th January 2003 at 07:36
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
I agree with Sam….Aeroflot in recent times also has a good safety records…meaning its maintanence has improved more. About cockpits, Russia except the TU 204 used very old tech. TU 154, IL 86, IL 62 etc. are old a/c hence nothing modern too see in them. Look at the cockpit of an IL 72…. i dont even know how to describe it!
By: A330Crazy - 12th January 2003 at 23:46
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
The 204 and the 154! Both have nice qualities. 🙂
By: EGNM - 12th January 2003 at 22:46
RE: Favourite Soviet Built Aircraft?
TU-154 – beuatiful! although i saw an IL-86 in GCTS in october and i loved that – the first one i have ever seen close up as it taxied around the bak of us, and the TU-154 was on a remote in LEMG the next day – the sun makes any plane look a lot better than usual – especially at 0930 on a sunday when we used to go up to EGNM to see the TU154 to bulgaria! grrrrrrrr
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January 12, 2003 at 12:35 pm
