A Tu-104 passenger jet, manufactured in 1958, is being restored in the Novosibirsk region. The work is being carried out by a group of enthusiasts led by Maria Karmanova, who has been involved in the project for many years and aims to return the airliner to a condition as close to the original as possible.
The initiative emerged after the aircraft, which had stood for many years at Berdsk-Tsentralny airfield, was effectively abandoned. After being decommissioned, it was used for some time as an open-air exhibit and a training object for aviation clubs, but in the 1990s, the object ceased to be maintained.
Over decades of disuse, the aircraft suffered serious damage: the structure was damaged by vandals, some equipment was lost or destroyed, and the cockpit was plundered. According to project participants, restoration began with studying technical documentation and attempts to recreate the original layout of instrument panels and systems.
Maria Karmanova notes that initially, interest in the aircraft was research-oriented, but later grew into a full-fledged restoration project. She emphasizes that the task is not only to restore the external appearance but also to try to reproduce the historical design of the Tu-104 as accurately as possible.
The project is being implemented by a small team of specialists and enthusiasts who are gradually returning lost elements to the aircraft and documenting each stage of the work.
Tu-104 is the first Soviet jet passenger aircraft. Developed at the Tupolev Design Bureau based on the Tu-16 bomber.
Main characteristics of the aircraft:
Dimensions:
- Wingspan — 34.54 m
- Length — 40.06 m
- Height — 11.9 m
- Wing area — 183.5 m²
Power plant:
- Engines: two RD-3M-500 turbojets
- Maximum takeoff thrust: 9500 kgf (each)
Flight performance characteristics:
- Cruising speed — 750–800 km/h
- Flight range:
- С максимальной полётной нагрузкой (с резервами топлива) — 2120 км
- При полном запасе топлива и полётной нагрузке 8150 кг — 2750 км
- Service ceiling — 10,000–12,000 m
Crew and passengers:
- Crew — 4–5 people
- Passenger capacity — 100 people
Weight characteristics:
- Takeoff weight — 78,100 kg
- Commercial payload — 12,000 kg
