Tupolev 95 Bear question

[mossieguy]

Recently I interviewed a USAF Vietnam veteran who flew F-4C escorts over North Vietnam as GIB. On one mission an EC-121 requested his aircraft investigate and unidentified radar return high above him. The pilot applied afterburner and climbed to 50,000 feet and both crew identified a Tupolev 95 Bear bomber estimated at 65,000 feet heading north. Rules of engagement required attacking only North Vietnam Air Force aircraft, so they reported their observation and descended.

According to internet sources the Tu-95 ceiling was 36,000 m while another claims 45,000 feet. Was the F-4C GIB incorrect in his assessment of the TU-95 altitude? It seems very high for a turboprop aircraft to fly. I know USAF SAC RB-36 flew at 50,000 feet during missions.

[Kyleb]

Recently I interviewed a USAF Vietnam veteran who flew F-4C escorts over North Vietnam as GIB. On one mission an EC-121 requested his aircraft investigate and unidentified radar return high above him. The pilot applied afterburner and climbed to 50,000 feet and both crew identified a Tupolev 95 Bear bomber estimated at 65,000 feet heading north. Rules of engagement required attacking only North Vietnam Air Force aircraft, so they reported their observation and descended.

According to internet sources the Tu-95 ceiling was 36,000 m while another claims 45,000 feet. Was the F-4C GIB incorrect in his assessment of the TU-95 altitude? It seems very high for a turboprop aircraft to fly. I know USAF SAC RB-36 flew at 50,000 feet during missions.

65,000' does seem high for a Tu-95. Think about it this way. The early U-2's had an operational ceiling just slightly higher than that until they burned off a lot of gas. Powers was supposedly under 70,000 ft when he was shot down.

[Anthony Svihlik]

Recently I interviewed a USAF Vietnam veteran who flew F-4C escorts over North Vietnam as GIB. On one mission an EC-121 requested his aircraft investigate and unidentified radar return high above him. The pilot applied afterburner and climbed to 50,000 feet and both crew identified a Tupolev 95 Bear bomber estimated at 65,000 feet heading north. Rules of engagement required attacking only North Vietnam Air Force aircraft, so they reported their observation and descended.

According to internet sources the Tu-95 ceiling was 36,000 m while another claims 45,000 feet. Was the F-4C GIB incorrect in his assessment of the TU-95 altitude? It seems very high for a turboprop aircraft to fly. I know USAF SAC RB-36 flew at 50,000 feet during missions.

For what it's worth, I went back to my "archives" of Jane's All The World's Aircraft books from the 1980s and it lists the Tu-95 service ceiling as 39,370 feet.

Hope that helps!

Anthony

[CAPFlyer]

Actually, more current data than the Jane's books shows the service ceiling as 45,000 feet. I don't think even the stripped-down Tu-95RT's could make another 20,000 feet though.

[mossieguy]

Thank you gentlemen. You knowledge and assistance is greatly appreciated. Now to locate the Aircraft Commander of that F-4C for his recollectons of this event.
Mossieguy