MOSKVA - The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has announced the launch of its first jet passenger aircraft. While the project has been ongoing for some time in secrecy, the Supreme Soviet now unveiled the aircraft.
The regional flag carrier of Central Asia SSR's requested in August 1950 for the development of new aircraft models to stay competitive with western aircraft builders. According to an inside source, the jetliner, which will be produced by the design bureau of Antony Tupolev, is just one of the aircraft models currently in development in the country.
The first airframe is expected to be delivered to Tujue Airways in 1956. Depending on the test trials, the airline will order more airframes to be operated from its Central Asian bases of Toshkent and Alma-Ata.