Tupolev Tu-104

The Tupolev Tu-104 is a historic Soviet twin-engine medium-range narrow-body jet airliner, representing the first successful jet airliner of Soviet design and the world's only operational jet airliner from 1956 to 1958 (following the grounding of the de Havilland Comet). First flown on June 17, 1955, and entering service with Aeroflot on September 15, 1956, the Tu-104 was developed from the Tu-16 twin-jet bomber, sharing the same wing, empennage, and landing gear design but featuring an entirely new fuselage for passenger operations. The aircraft features two Mikulin AM-3 turbojet engines (later AM-3M) mounted within the wing roots, a low-wing monoplane configuration, and tricycle retractable landing gear. The Tu-104 enabled the Soviet Union to provide jet-powered passenger service on domestic and international routes, demonstrating Soviet technological prowess during the Cold War era. The family includes the original Tu-104 with capacity for 50 passengers, the Tu-104A (1957) with lengthened fuselage for 70 passengers and improved AM-3M engines, and the Tu-104B (1959) with further lengthened fuselage accommodating 100-115 passengers and AM-3M-500 engines. Production ceased in 1960 after 201 units were built, with the Tu-104 serving Aeroflot and other Soviet bloc airlines until retirement in the 1980s. NATO reporting name: "Camel".