Tupolev Tu-104A

The Tupolev Tu-104A is the first improved production variant of the Tu-104 family, introduced in 1957 with enhanced capacity and powerplant. The Tu-104A features a modestly lengthened fuselage accommodating 70 passengers (increased from 50 in the original), providing better economics for medium-range operations. The variant is powered by upgraded Mikulin AM-3M engines producing 8,700 kgf (85 kN) thrust each - an improvement over the 8,000 kgf AM-3 engines of the original Tu-104 - providing better performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability. The Tu-104A retained the same wingspan (34.54m), wing area (183.5 m²), and general configuration as the original variant, but the fuselage stretch required minor adjustments to maintain proper center of gravity. With a maximum takeoff weight of 76,000 kg and range of 2,650 km, the Tu-104A served as the workhorse of Aeroflot's domestic jet network throughout the late 1950s. The improved passenger capacity and more efficient engines made the Tu-104A more economically viable than the original variant, leading to its widespread deployment across Soviet domestic routes and selected international services to Eastern European destinations.