Tupolev Tu-4

September 30, 2025 - A total of 847 Tu-4s had been built when production ended in the Soviet Union in 1952, some of which went to China during the later 1950s. Many experimental variants were built and the experience launched the Soviet strategic bomber program.

The endeavor eventually failed and ended with the project's cancellation in 1971. The Chinese continued use of the Tu-4 as a long-range strategic bomber until 1988. The Soviet Union managed their Tu-4s in a frontline role up until the 1950s to which the type began giving way to the newer breed of Tupolev Tu-16 "Badger" strategic bombers.

3 days ago - It was a very succesfully reverse-engineered copy of the American-made Boeing B-29 Superfortress, with only 340 kg (750 lb) more than the B-29, a difference of less than 1% ! Operational history A total of 847 Tu-4s had been built when production ended in the Soviet Union in 1952, some going ...

One plane was transferred to the Flight-test institute in Zhukovski to train pilots for preparing flight training manuals, the second plane was disassambled to study its' design and the third was left as a yardstick. However, the Soviets decided not to attempto to copy the American engine, and instead equipped the bomber with the Soviet ASH-73TK engine designed by A.D. Shvetsov. This engine retained the B-29's original turbocompressor and the magnet and heat-resistant bearings.

This project resulted in the Tu-4 (NATO designation “Bull”), which first flew in 1947 and was the U.S.S.R.’s principal strategic bomber until the mid-1950s.Read More

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The first aircraft was disassembled down to each screw to be studied, the second was repaired for flight testing, and the third, being the most minimally damaged, was left as a standard reference for the designers. In total, 900 factories and research institutes were involved in the project. The most significant change was in the engine department and armament, with the Tu-4 being powered by Soviet-built copies of the Wright R-3350 engines used in the B-29 and the .50 cal turrets replaced with NS-23 cannon turrets.

The 4th Independent Regiment came into existence with the delivery of 10 TU-4 BULL propeller medium bombers to Peking in February 1953. In following years three more of these aircraft were acquired from the Soviets. From 1953 until 1971 the 4th IR had only three home bases.

This made it the first long-range Soviet bomber capable of threatening large portions of the continental United States, and was seen as a drastic escalation in the Cold War. A total of 847 Tu-4s were constructed from 1947 to 1952, and they continued to be used through the 1960s.

May 17, 2024 - You are assuming entire aircraft using same thickness. Could have been just mid-section or wings, also not pure aluminum right? Point is, it's difficult to copy an mass produce an aircraft let alone if its designed in different measurement system. More replies ... Six tons heavier? According to wikipedia, the TU-4 was only 340 kg heavier.

The Tu-4 (commonly known as 图-4轰炸机 in Chinese; or by its NATO codename Bull, 公牛) was one of the earliest strategic bombers acquired by the PLAAF from the Soviet Union. Ten Tu-4s flew to China in 1953 as a birthday gift for Chairman Mao Zedong, coinciding with a growing need for bombers to secure remaining territories from Nationalist forces.

Today, only one copy of the Tu-4 survived, stored in the Monino aviation museum near Moscow. Although this is not a very good survival rate with hundreds of manufactured specimens, it is an excellent demonstration of how Stalin pushed the development of the Soviet aerospace industry.

November 7, 2023 - Almost 850 Tu-4s were built and many survive as museum pieces today.

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October 4, 2024 - The TU-4 never saw combat. Some 850 were eventually produced. Before the 60’s arrived the TU-4 had been replaced by jet aircraft. A few were given to China, and there are reports these were kept flying as late as 1968.

2 weeks ago - Turkey collaborated with Israel ... to serve into the next decade. ... The defense analysis website Warpower estimates that 48 F-4Es are still actively flying with Turkey’s Air Force (TuAF)....

December 22, 2022 - 23 officially began at the beginning of 1950, although it was carried out on a smaller scale than at the Kazan or Kuibyshev plants. According to author Yefim Gordon, while the exact number of Tu-4s produced is unclear, estimates range widely from around 600 to nearly 1,300 aircraft.

May 28, 2023 - The Soviet Tupolev Tu-4 strategic bomber was an unlicensed, reverse-engineered copy of the US WWII Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber. The Soviets used it in their first air dropped Atomic bomb tests and for launching anti-shipping missiles. It led the Soviets to produce more advanced aircraft including the Tupolev Tu-16 jet bomber and the Tupolev…

The first aircraft was disassembled down to each screw to be studied, the second was repaired for flight testing, and the third, being the most minimally damaged, was left as a standard reference for the designers. In total, 900 factories and research institutes were involved in the project. The most significant change was in the engine department and armament, with the Tu-4 being powered by Soviet-built copies of the Wright R-3350 engines used in the B-29 and the .50 cal turrets replaced with NS-23 cannon turrets.

A total of 847 Tu-4s had been built when production ended in the Soviet Union in 1952, some of which went to China during the later 1950s. Many experimental variants were built and the experience launched the Soviet strategic bomber program.