Upolev Tu-134

Soloviev D-30 (2 X 6,800kg st, 15,0001b st) ■ MTOW 44,000kg (97,0001b) ■ Normal Range 2,000km (l,250mi)

Comparison with 11-86

LENGTH 34m (115ft) SPAN 29m (95ft)

Flexible Seating

The Tupolev Tu-134’s cabin was narrower than that of its comparable western types, with four-abreast, rather than five – abreast (and, in the case of the Boeing 737, six-abreast) seating. With this aircraft, the air traveling world in general became familiar with the standard Soviet airliner seat. Rather flimsy, and less luxurious than any western type, it was nevertheless effi­cient in many respects. The seat bottom could be folded upwards — a convenience for storing otherwise bulky baggage; and the seat backs could also be folded forward to a level position, a convenience which has been cheerfully put to good use by Soviet air travelers.

The Tupolev Tu-134 was designed to be able to use what are sometimes referred to as unprepared strips, with gravel or grass surfaces. Whether using these or asphalt or concrete runways, the aircraft’s take-off distance was long and its landing speed high, tending to draw the comment that this was more like the performance of a military airplane. Such commen­tary was also directed towards the ‘bomb-aimer’s window’ in the lower part of the fuselage nose, in which the navigator took his position during flight, with the two pilots separated by the ‘oven-door’ access. This position for the navigator is the best possible for a wide, almost 360° panoramic view; and in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, the navigator had a special responsibility for guiding his crew across the limitless and featureless taiga and tundra, with few navigational aids.

THE SHORT-HAUL TWIN-JETS COMPARED

Notes: 11ncludes subsequent developments (DC-9-80 series and MD-88); 2Includes subsequent developments (F.28-0100/Fokker WO): * production continues.