Post amazingly cool pictures of aircraft (Volume 3)
Discussion
The first picture of the 144 shows SSSR-68001 which was the prototype and almost a completely different aircraft to the pre-production and production models.
The 144 was doomed from the very start as they just couldn't get it to fly economically and/or safely. Not only did they have a crash at thge 1973 Paris Air Show but they also lost another one in 1978 - which was the final prompt to withdraw them.
Although there was a superficial resemblance between the 144 and Concorde, Concorde was a MUCH more sophisticated aircraft with very subtle aerodynamics to allow it to fly safely at all speeds up to Mach 2. It could also maintain supersonic flight with the afterburners turned off - which the 144 couldn't do.
The 144 was doomed from the very start as they just couldn't get it to fly economically and/or safely. Not only did they have a crash at thge 1973 Paris Air Show but they also lost another one in 1978 - which was the final prompt to withdraw them.
Although there was a superficial resemblance between the 144 and Concorde, Concorde was a MUCH more sophisticated aircraft with very subtle aerodynamics to allow it to fly safely at all speeds up to Mach 2. It could also maintain supersonic flight with the afterburners turned off - which the 144 couldn't do.
Eric Mc said:
Although there was a superficial resemblance between the 144 and Concorde, Concorde was a MUCH more sophisticated aircraft with very subtle aerodynamics to allow it to fly safely at all speeds up to Mach 2. It could also maintain supersonic flight with the afterburners turned off - which the 144 couldn't do.
Concorde is pretty much the supercruise champion of champions in that regard, no other aircraft built has had the ability to supercruise at Mach 2.0 for 3 hrs...... 
RizzoTheRat said:
The later model of TU-144 didn't have reheat, so could definitely supercruise, and I believe was faster, Less efficient though.
Are you sure about that?One 144 was modified for use by NASA in the 1990s using engines from the Tu160 Blackjack bomber but that was decades after they had been withdrawn from airline service and was purely a research tool.
Hmm, looks like they may not have made it in to service. The idea was more powerful engines without reheat to give better range, but according to this article it only had a payload of 5 tonnes and an engine life of 50 hours!
https://ruavia.su/tu-144d-history-and-development-...
Note the weird plug nozzles rather than the usual Converging-Diverging nozzles that they could use because the temperatures are lower
https://ruavia.su/tu-144d-history-and-development-...
Note the weird plug nozzles rather than the usual Converging-Diverging nozzles that they could use because the temperatures are lower
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 12th November 09:41
Simpo Two said:
Yep. Operated by the Vichy French. I thought I was pretty familiar with WW2 aircraft but I hadn't heard of that one.
If you can access Twitter, look up https://x.com/AviationMarlene they post lots of photos and videos of often obscure small number French aircraft.Can anyone identify this airfield? The Treble Three group have been sent this photo with the information that it was taken on 31.08.1984, but they don’t know where or who by. Note the Vulcan in the background.
The next day WT333 was at Finningley fr om what I’ve found. But where is this? I’m curious to know because this particular year I think I spent every weekend and school holiday at an air display, airfield and around aircraft. Thanks in advance.
The next day WT333 was at Finningley fr om what I’ve found. But where is this? I’m curious to know because this particular year I think I spent every weekend and school holiday at an air display, airfield and around aircraft. Thanks in advance.
Gretchen said:
Can anyone identify this airfield? The Treble Three group have been sent this photo with the information that it was taken on 31.08.1984, but they don’t know where or who by. Note the Vulcan in the background.
The next day WT333 was at Finningley fr om what I’ve found. But where is this? I’m curious to know because this particular year I think I spent every weekend and school holiday at an air display, airfield and around aircraft. Thanks in advance.
Reverse image search suggests this is Bedford. see https://derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10617/ee-ca...The next day WT333 was at Finningley fr om what I’ve found. But where is this? I’m curious to know because this particular year I think I spent every weekend and school holiday at an air display, airfield and around aircraft. Thanks in advance.
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