Tupolev Tu-104 - Variants

Variants

Data from:

• Tu-104 – initial version seating 50 passengers. It used 2 Mikulin AM-3 engines, each with 6,735 kg of thrust. 29 airframes were built.
• Tu-104A – Improved version appearing in June 1957; continued improvements of the Mikulin engines (Mikulin AM-3M each with 8,700 kg of thrust) permitted significant growth in capacity, resulting in a 70-seater variant. The Tu-104A became the definitive production variant. On September 6, 1957, it flew with 20 t of payload at 11,211 m of altitude. On September 24, 1957, it reached 970.8 km/h average speed with a 2 tonne payload. A total of 80 airframes were built, of which six were exported to Czechoslovakia.
• Tu-104B – Further improvements made by stretching fuselage 1.2 meters and fitting new Mikulin AM-3M-500 turbojets (9,700 kg of thrust each). The Tu-104B was able to accommodate 100 passengers. This variant took advantage of the newer fuselage from the Tupolev Tu-110 and the existing wings. It began revenue service with Aeroflot on April 15, 1959 on the Moscow-Saint Petersburg route. A total of 95 airframes were built. Most were subsequently re-equipped as the Tu-104B-115 with 115 seats; sporting new navigation, flight and radio equipment;
• Tu-104V – The first use of this designation was for a projected 117 seat medium haul version with six-abreast seating. Project cancelled
• Tu-104D – VIP version with two sleeper cabins forward and a 39 seat cabin aft.
• Tu-104G – VIP version for the Federal government with two VIP cabins forward and a 54 seat cabin aft.
• Tu-104E – A higher performance Tu-104 powered by RD16-15 engines giving better fuel economy as well as higher thrust. Two prototypes were converted from Tu-104B's CCCP-42441 and CCCP-42443, but the programme was cancelled in the mid 1960s in favour of the Tu-154.
• Tu-104V – The second use of this designation was used for Tu-104A airframes rebuilt to accommodate 100/105 passengers. A later version packed 115 passengers in by reducing seat pitch and adding seat rows.
• Tu-104D-85 – Tu-104A airframes rebuilt to accommodate 85 passengers.
• Tu-104V-115 – Tu-104B airframes rebuilt to accommodate 115 passengers, with new radio and navigational equipment.
• Tu-104AK – one unit modified for Zero-G Cosmonaut training
• Tu-104SH – Navigator trainer in two versions
• Tu-104LL – Several serial numbers converted for use in testing Tu-129, Tu-22M electronics, and air to air missile systems (including launch).
• Tu-107 – Proposed military transport version with rear loading ramp and defensive turret armed with paired cannon. One prototype built; project cancelled
• Tu-110 – Four-engined version intended for export. A number of prototypes were built; project cancelled.
• Tu-118 – A projected turboprop powered medium haul airliner variant to be powered by Kuznetsov TV-2 or NK-8 turboprop engines.
• Tu-124 – Turbofan powered short-haul redesign of the Tu-104.