Tupolev Tu‑144: The Soviet Supersonic Airliner

Details on the Tu-144 have been rather hard to come across until recently. The aircraft typically gets a page or two in the average Concorde book, usually focusing on the 1973 Paris air show crash, and dismissing it as a crude copy. I've had an interest in "cult" Soviet and Russian aircraft for a while now and wondered why the poor "Charger" (as NATO called it) never seemed to get any love. My jaw almost hit the floor when I first flipped through this book.This is almost certainly the definitive reference on the Tu-144. Even the books I've read on the Concorde didn't go into anywhere near as much detail on the design and development phase, and usually only touched on political issues. The first 100 pages alone focus on the aircraft's development, the engineering problems that needed to be overcome, and the flight testing on the prototype. There are excellent technical descriptions of the prototype and Tu-144D, explanations of the two fatal accidents, and an entire chapter devoted to unbuilt military versions. There's even a chapter devoted to the Tu-144LL flying laboratory, and another describing the main differences between the Tu-144 and Concorde.The production values are impeccable. The pages are printed on thick, glossy paper, images are crisp and detailed, and the colors are sharp and pop right off the page. There are hundreds of photographs, color profiles, and diagrams, many shown here for the first time. There are exterior and interior "walkthroughs" of preserved Tu-144s, excellent "behind the scenes" images of aircraft under construction, and numerous images of concept models and some of the key personalities.Unfortunately, there are a few things keeping me from giving it a full five-star rating. Although 95% of this book is fascinating, there are a few places where the writing gets a little tedious. The authors have a tendency to devote lengthy paragraphs to naming every individual involved in a certain aspect or department of the aircraft's design or manufacture. I know the Soviet Union weren't exactly keen on openly crediting folks (an understatement, I know!), and it's nice to see them finally getting some recognition, but these bits were a chore to read. There is no index, glossary, bibliography, or notes section, and the book feels somewhat incomplete. There is a brief acknowledgments section, but it actually mentions "the internet" as a source! Anyone wanting to learn more about the aircraft might find themselves scratching their head as a result.Although it's not totally flawless, this book belongs on the shelf of anyone seriously interested in this aircraft. It finally gets its due as not only a stunning achievement in Soviet engineering but as a testimony to the cluelessness and shortsightedness of Soviet politicians.

A definitive look at the most expensive failure in civil aviation. The only weak point is that there is little serious analysis as to why the aircraft was rejected by Aeroflot management after a very limited program of revenue flights. Some reasons only hinted at in the book:-- it required special nitrogenated low-boiloff fuel like the SR-71 which was unavailable at foreign airports-- for domestic overland flights, sonic booms would have provoked intense opposition from the local Party leaders in towns under the flight paths. The test program was limited to one round-trip between Moscow and Alma-Ata per week and much of this route was steppe inhabited by a few nomadic tribes.-- the NK-144 engines had to run in afterburner during cruise (Concorde had "supercruise" capability)-- Soviet society simply lacked the overclass of capitalists and rock stars that could have afforded realistic ticket prices. Even at the unrealistically low prices charged for the "route-proving" flights, many of the passengers were Western tourists.Despite its commercial failure, the Tu-144 remains technically interesting and was NOT a copy of Concorde. The combination of drooping elevons and retractable canards was a clever way to keep landing speeds and runway lengths within the limits of existing airports. It is surprising that this solution has seldom been seen in later SST concepts.

Excellent book on an ambitious project.The only quibble I have with this book is I would have liked a chapter on the engine.The only other ambitious book on the TU-144 that was published in english I am aware of is; "Soviet SST: The Techno-Politics Of The Tupolev-144 by Howard Moon" And that volume is pushing 20 years old. If you're going to buy one book to cover the history of the TU-144, this maybe the one, even if others are published in the future.I will admit that I have always been pleased by the efforts of Mr. Gordon and Mr. Komissarov. I will buy their books without any hesitation. I would love to see them translate/publish Russian aviation books that have not been previously published in english as well.

Illustrated with hundreds of photographs depicting the aircraft's history from manufacturing to airline operation, this book should please not only the aviation enthusiast but also the modeler as there are numerous drawings depicting the aircraft's livery in addition to the photographs. Printed on glossy paper, this looks to be the definitive history of the Soviet supersonic airliner. Only four stars because there's no index, which is a pity if you were planning to use the book as a reference!.

This is a great book, the best and most complete assessment we're ever likely to see of this beautiful, but, in-the-end fatally-flawed, airliner. The text is accompanied by great photos, and side-view drawing, many in color, and includes the remarkable, and unique, joint U.S.-Russian research and flight testing program of the Tu-144. Though withdrawn rather quickly from commercial service with Aeroflot, the Tu-144 is, nonetheless, a significant aspect of the thus far unsuccessful effort to develop a viable commercial supersonic airliner.

Just received this gem of a book.The best written book on the subject with many photos that had not been seen before and a good job collecting some other photos published on the web ( albeit without any credit to the photographer). A must have for any TU144 ( or Concorde fan)

Highly interesting,a good overview of the programme.

great photo content,i buy books for their photos so I can't critique the writing content

Very good photos, (55% black and white, 45% color). Well documented and interesting text. If you have any book of the Concorde you should buy this one.

a beautiful aviation by this well known author.Added to my russian aviation collection.Waiting for the next one.Great.Gary

コンコルドに対してあまり情報の無い、ツポレフ１４４のみについてこれだけ詳細に解説し大量の写真を掲載している本は、世界的にこれ一冊のみ。情報価値という点でもこの値段でこの情報量は本当にお得！

Excellent book! Very informative and many photos!

Lot's of information and good photos