Soviet supersonic aircraft Tu-144 1:144 Zvezda 7045

Plastic model airplane for assembly: Soviet supersonic aircraft Tu-144 1:144 Zvezda 7045

The plastic model for assembly: Soviet supersonic aircraft Tu-144 in 1:144 scale from Zvezda (catalog number 7045) is an excellent proposition for aviation and modeling enthusiasts. This kit allows you to build a miniature of one of the most innovative and controversial aircraft in the history of civil aviation.

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:144
• Manufacturer: Zvezda
• Catalog number: 7045
• Material: Plastic

History and achievements of Tu-144:

The Tupolev Tu-144, also known by its NATO code "Charger," was the world's first commercial supersonic aircraft. Designed by the Tupolev design bureau, this aircraft made its maiden flight on December 31, 1968, from Zhukovsky Airport, two months ahead of its Western competitor, the Concorde. The Tu-144 was a product of Soviet engineering, and its design was overseen by aviation pioneer Alexei Tupolev.

A total of 16 Tu-144 units were produced, and the aircraft completed 102 commercial flights, of which only 55 carried passengers. The aircraft operated at an average altitude of 16,000 meters (52,000 feet) and achieved a cruising speed of about 2,200 kilometers per hour (1,400 mph), corresponding to a speed of Mach 2. The Tu-144 first exceeded the speed of sound on June 5, 1969, four months before the Concorde, and on May 26, 1970, it became the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

Despite its impressive technological achievements, the Tu-144 faced reliability and development issues, which limited its usefulness in regular flights. Additionally, a disaster during a demonstration at the Paris Air Show in 1973, high operating costs, rising fuel prices, and environmental concerns contributed to a decline in interest from foreign customers.

The Tu-144 was introduced into commercial service with Aeroflot on the Moscow-Alma-Ata route on December 26, 1975, and regular passenger flights began on November 1, 1977. Unfortunately, less than seven months later, after an emergency landing of a new version of the Tu-144 during a test flight on May 23, 1978, the aircraft was withdrawn from passenger service. By 1983, the Tu-144 was used as a cargo aircraft, and its program was subsequently canceled.

Despite its short commercial career, the Tu-144 found use in the Soviet space program, where it served to train Buran shuttle pilots. Furthermore, until 1999, it was used by NASA for research on supersonic flights. The last flight of the Tu-144 took place on June 26, 1999, and the remaining units were displayed in Russia, former Soviet republics, and Germany or went into storage.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.