Tupolev Tu-116 Russian Imperial Airways

The Tupolev design bureau was one of the most important aircraft manufacturers in the Russian empire since the beginnings of aviation in the empire. The design bureau played an important part in creating the aircraft that defeated the German invaders in the second world war. Starting with the licence build of US fighters like the P-40 and P-51, they quickly started developing a line of own designs like the Tu-1, Tu-3 and Tu-7. After the armistice with Germany they stayed an important aircraft produces for both the Imperial Air Force and the Imperial Russian Airways. The contacts with the US aircraft producers were maintained and many designs were developed in cooperation with various US manufacturers.

In 1955 Tupolev started with the design of an airliner based on the Tu-95 strategic bomber. Early on in the development a deal was struck with Boeing where Boeing would produce the fuselage and Tupolev the wings. This aircraft was named Tu-116 in the Russian empire and Boeing 606 in the United States. The Tu-116 entered service in the Imperial Russian Airline in 1961 it stayed in service until 1991. The powerful turboprop engines provided a long range although they proved to be very noisy and passengers did not like the aircraft very much. In the United States the Boeing 606 was replaced with the all jet 616 rather soon.

Model: Revell Tupolev Bear & Airfix Boeing 747 1/144