Soviet Supersonic Passenger Aircraft
The world’s first supersonic passenger aircraft became a Tu-144. It was designed by A.N. Tupolev Design Bureau. The maiden fl ight of the prototype was in December 31, 1968 (two month earlier than British-French Concorde). The serial production began in 1971. The modifi cation Tu-144D with RD-36-51A engines and increased to 5300 km range was designed in 1974. All in all 5 Tu-144D aircraft were built up to 1984.
SSSR-77112 aircraft made near 50 cargo fl ights in Moscow – Khabarovsk line. Now it is in exposition of Sinsheim Technique Museum.