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Description of  Tupolev Tu-4 Soviet Superfortress (Red Star Vol. 7)

It was often claimed in the West during the Cold War that many Soviet aircraft designs were based on existing types being produced or developed in the NATO countries, the information on these designs having come to the Soviet through the efforts of their spies. That this was actually true and not just a case of paranoia in the West is particularly demonstrable in the case of the Tu-4. At the end of World War II, three Boeing B-29s fell into Soviet hands. From these came a Soviet copy of this famous bomber in the form of the Tu-4. This book examines the evolution of the 'Superfortresski' into the Tu-70 military transport. It also deals with the civil airliner version, the Tu-75, and Tu-85, the last of Tupolev's piston-engined bombers. Also described are various experimental versions, including the Burlaki towed fighter program, flight refueling tanker and missile carrier versions, and the Chinese turboprop-powered AWACS and drone launcher conversions. Operational details include use of these aircraft for transport and paradropping and civil polar research.