On June 19, 1959, Soviet pilots made an unprecedented flight on two Tu-95 bombers. At the height of the Cold War, they demonstrated the capabilities of the USSR's strategic aviation.
Georgy Baidukov's crew set the first record, flying 17,150 km non-stop. This distance is equal to a flight from Moscow to Chukotka and back, or half the circumference of the Earth.
More Than 20 Hours in the Air
The second crew, under the command of Alexander Kuznetsov, covered 16,950 kilometers. The bombers were in the air for more than 20 hours straight.
The routes passed through remote areas of Siberia and the Arctic Ocean, where any malfunction could be fatal.
The secret to this success was the unique NK-12 turboprop engines designed by Nikolai Kuznetsov. The power plants demonstrated amazing fuel efficiency, allowing the heavy bomber to cover distances unreachable by jet aircraft.
The records of 1959 strengthened the international prestige of the USSR and proved the ability of Soviet aviation to reach any point on the planet.
Earlier www1.ru reported that the engine cowling of the Superjet-100 was torn off right in the air.
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