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Tupolev Tu-144
In May 1968 the prototype CCCP-68001 of the Russian supersonic Tu-144 was presented at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport and right in time for New Years Eve it had its maiden flight – two months earlier than the Concorde. At that time information was kept rather secret by the Soviets, but in 1999 the French TV Arte could report that developing the supersonic civil transport was based on a government order to A.N. Tupolev, demanding to fly before the Concorde. “On account of his age, the 75 years old chief engineer Tupolev transferred the development exclusively to very young, still inexperienced engineers – by many experts being considered a disastrous error” (so reported by Flug Revue). The delta-winged design for Mach2 with 4 engines (Kuznetzov NK-144 with afterburner) beneath the wing and the initial layout for 100 passengers showed an astonishing similarity with the Concorde. Of course there were hostile rumors about the “Concordsky”, as it was nicknamed in the West, and the weekly Der Spiegel stated that Concorde blueprints have been smuggled in the toilet of a Russian sleeping car Paris – Moscow. Certain sleeping-car conductors truly were KGB informers, as an experienced traveler confirmed it. A letter by President Kennedy “informed de Gaulle that a source in which Kennedy had confidence had stated that the French intelligence services, and even de Gaulle’s own cabinet, had been penetrated by Soviet agents (so reported by Life, April29, 1968). In 1969 Life (March31) informed: “The USSR is looming Japanese sales by granting Japan Air Lines permission for subsonic (!) trans-Siberia flights”. Despite all the rumors, the Tu-144 was a keen masterpiece in technology, equaled only by the Concorde. And not only in Russia the Tu-144 had become a vision. In 1978 Interflug boss Henkes considered supersonics an option for Eastern European countries. The first pre-series Tu-144 (CCCP-77101) showed modifications of the wing and the engine arrangement, a stretched fuselage for 140 passengers in a 2+3 seat layout and retractable canards behind the cockpit. By using titanium components, a relatively low weight was achieved. The maximum operational speed was reported being 2,500km/h or Mach2.35. The CCCP-77102 suffered a tragic crash during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in 1973, caused by a mechanical defect, the result of a daring flight maneuver, as an immediately informed Swiss source confirmed. The detailed result of the investigation was kept secret, in accordance with French authorities. “Had it been the daring flight maneuvers or the sudden appearance of a Mirage?”, asked the above-mentioned Flug Revue report.  Tupolev Tu-144 (official document)
For preparing mail flights with the Tu-144, an experimental mail service to Siberia was tried with the small subsonic jet bomber IL-28. On Dec25, 1975 the Tu-144D CCCP-77105 with Kolesov RD-36-51 engines without afterburner entered experimental services between Moscow and Alma Ata (now Almaty in Kazakhstan), for mail and freight only. “It’s a usual procedure in Russia, when a new aircraft type is introduced”, reported Rudolf Braunburg (in Geo-Magazin, 3/1977), continuing: “But the crews are not at all enthusiastic. Their super jet is suffering under strong vibrations…” Nevertheless on Nov1, 1977 regular passenger traffic on this route was taken up. On the inauguration flight, reporters registered continuously a very loud noise. The distance of 3,200km was covered in 75 minutes, that means on supersonic top speed. On May23, 1978 there was an accident on a Moscow – Khabarovsk flight and once again rumors were spread. Services ended on June01, 1978 (according to Davies). The Tu-144 remained in use as a cargo plane for six years. After only 102 flights, the Tu-144 went out of regular service. An insufficient range was reported as a reason. Principally, the development, having been pushed forward too hastily by Khrushchev’s order, is considered the cause of the Tu-144’s commercial failure, costing the USSR tremendous losses. In summer 1984 the end of the Tu-144 program was officially published by the Soviet press. Only 17 planes had been built.
 Tupolev Tu-144 at Sinsheim (Anton Soelch 2012)
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