B-29/TU-4 Turbo Prop

[davidwomacks]

Just saw this thought it was kinda interesting

http://www.ausairpower.net/CAM-Shahezhen-AB/_KJ-1-AWACS-Tu-4-Bull-Turboprop-PLAAF-APA-1.jpg

[BAJ]

Ya....its pretty amazing how far the basic Boeing B-29 airframe design could be pushed.........even if it was a Chinese copy via USSR.

[robkamm]

I like it. anyone have performance specs on it? how many hp are those turbines?

[famvburg]

4250 shp

I like it. anyone have performance specs on it? how many hp are those turbines?

[The Inspector]

The story of Stalin insisting that interred B-29's be copied within about 18 months is even more fascinating. Tupolev and his team, technnically under arrest for 'crimes against the state' had to convert every dimension from SAE to Metric, do the metalurgy, etc. etc. And, in the end the bureau not only got the TU-4 project done on time, they built at least one airliner and continued development into the TU-95 series which included the TU-114 airliner that embarrassed U.S. officials when Kruschev showed up at Idlewild in one on a state visit and there were no airstairs tall enough to reach the door and a ladder had to be spliced in.

There was a thread on this Chinese AWACS airframe here about 18 or so months ago, it's a pretty clever way to increase horsepower without redesigning and rebuilding the nacelles.

[TROJANII]

Wasn't there already a thread on this aircraft?

[bdk]

Multiple. There are two of these aircraft at that museum on the outskirts of Beijing.

[JohnB]

I wonder if they ever paid any license fees to Boeing?

And speaking of turboprops on the basic wing, don't forget the Super Guppys...although they were based on the improved B-50/B377 structure with 75st aluminium.