Tupolev Tu-4: Soviet Superfortress

The Tu-4 is identified as an example of the Soviets copying Western airplane designs. Three Boeing B-29s fell into Soviet hands at the end of World War II. This book shows the evolution of the "Superfortresski" into the Tu-70 military transport and its airliner version, the Tu-75 and Tu-85 - the last of Tupolev's piston-engined bombers. Also described are the various experimental versions, including the Burlaki towed fighter program, flight refueling tanker and missile carrier versions, and Chinese turboprop-powered AWACS and drone launcher conversions. Operational details include use for transport and paradropping, civil polar research, etc. The book includes many previously unpublished photographs as well as drawings of the rival 102 and 103 bombers designed by Myasischchev.