Manufacturer: Tupolev

Model: Tu-144B

Name: "Backbone" (NATO codename)

Type: Supersonic jet bomber

Date:

Status: Operational

Country: Soviet Union

Service: Soviet Air Force

Designation: Tu-44

Synopsis:

The bomber version of the Tupolev Tu-144 was known variously as the Tu-144B (Tupolev designation), the Tu-44 (official designation) or the "Backbone" (NATO reporting name). It was built in 10 examples and flew in highest secrecy throughout the 80s from various bases across the Soviet Union...


Elaboration:

The idea of a military combat variant of the famous Tu-144 airliner is not so far-fetched. Indeed, several projects studied under the Tu-135 and Tu-144 designations were bombers...

The military designation Tu-44 is just in line with the Soviet practice already in use for Tupolev and the others: two-digit numbers were part of an "official" list of military designations while the alternate were company model numbers. Hence the Tu-14 (= Tu-81), Tu-16 (= Tu-88), Tu-24 (= Tu-98), Tu-22 (= Tu-105). This didn't apply to the civilian airliners which retained the company design number (Tu-104, Tu-134, etc.) and there were a few exceptions (Tu-95/Tu-142 didn't get a sequential number in the "other" list).


Viewers' comments:
  • Unique Russian Bomber! Great! :D:thumbsup: (theF-man)
  • What can I say...except good stuff! (Mimikios)
  • :thumbsup::) (Roddy1990)
  • I like it. (ONI-Defense)
  • interesting (MrThomasAndCartman)
  • Looks like Sukhoi T-4 (LottonTheWizard)
  • Looks great! (Erik Simonsen)
  • Awesome...Love the NATO code names :-) (edwardio1973)
  • This is an amazing photo of the TU-144 whether or not it's retouched! (dinobatfan)

My comments:

I guess that's the old Soviet feeling... LOL

Thanks to ONI-Defense for pointing out that "Of course its NATO reporting name would have to be different, since all bombers are given a name that starts with B."

  • I am curious about something....The digital paint scheme somehow seems a little flatter and not quite as well blended in as you usually do...was this intentional or a work in progress maybe? Just asking because while this is indeed a wonderful picture, it just seems to be not quite up to your usual standards.  Please don't get me wrong though..it still looks great and is a grand idea! :) (dinobatfan)

I absolutely agree with you. This is not quite up to the usual standards, but I found it very hard to make it any darker or more contrasted without losing on some of the details. Also the fact that I had to erase all the windows and markings makes for a duller airframe as well...