Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev (1888-1972),

aircraft designer, academician.

Born in the village of Pustomazovo, Tver province. He received his primary education at home, graduated from the Tver classical gymnasium and entered the mechanical department of the Higher Moscow Technical School.
In 1909 he entered the aeronautical circle. He worked on the construction of gliders, made flights on them.

ANT-1 on trials.

A.N. Tupolev (in the center) at the ANT-1

A student and collaborator of Nikolai Zhukovsky. In 1918, together with Zhukovsky, he founded the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.
In 1918-1935. Tupolev - Deputy Head of the Institute, heads an experimental design bureau, whose activities are related to the design of aircraft, torpedo boats and snowmobiles.

In total, more than 100 types of military and civil aircraft were created under his leadership, 70 of which were mass-produced, including the ANT-25, Tu-104 (the first passenger jet), Tu-114, Tu-144 (supersonic passenger).

78 world records were set on Tupolev's planes, 28 unique flights were made, including V. Chkalov and M. Gromov on ANT-25 across the North Pole to the USA.
Tupolev became an academician, general designer.

Tupolev is named after the Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex in Moscow, the Kazan Aviation Institute, an island in the Ob Bay of the Kara Sea. In the city of Kimry, Tver region, a bust of Tupolev was erected.
Tupolev's son, Alexander Andreevich Tupolev, is also a well-known aircraft designer and academician.

Photo gallery of TU aircraft:

TU - 134

TU - 144

TU - 154

TU - 204

V April 1910 year student imperial technical schools Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev announced that he would flight on the glider own designs over Lefortovsky park. Look a lot of people gathered for this spectacle people, reporters, photographers. Tupolev fled, then felt that the ground was leaving from under his feet and flew! In all my life Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev will create about 150 aircraft models from aircraft ANT-1 and ending supersonic by passenger plane (see article) ! For comparison, we can say that ANT-1 wings area was 10 square meters and Tu-144 - 500 square meters ! On airplanes Tupolev will be installed 78 World Records! Done 30 worldwide famous flights! There is hardly another aircraft designer, created such number aircraft ! Also, except for aviation technology Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev designed, for example torpedo and civil boats, snowmobile and other technology. Few to whom known that it was all done despite circumstances , people and logic events . Contemporaries Tupolev gave him a nickname "icebreaker". Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev made history and was a part of this history THE USSR!

Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev was born November 10, 1888 years on the farm Pustomazovo Tverskoy provinces. Family Tupolev was large, Andrey Nikolaevich became 6th child in the family. While studying at gymnasiums his beloved the subject was physics. teacher physics v gymnasiums was Nikolai Fyodorovich Platonov, that was extraordinary teacher ! Later Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev so wrote about his physics teacher: Not limited gymnasium course, he organized astronomical circle, took us to excursions on the iron road, textile factories, set intricate and fascinating experiments on mechanics, optics and electricity." WITH childhood Tupolev had to take care About Me himself. Also in childhood he enthusiastically started tinker wooden toys and models ships. Being high school student Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev decided sell their wooden crafts, so that with the proceeds pass on country. When he turned 13 years, he went to journey across Nizhny Novgorod, Astrakhan, Tiflis, Rostov, Moscow.

In the autumn of 1908 of the year Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev successfully passed the exams in 2 Moscow higher educational institutions - Imperial Technical school and Institute of Communications Engineers. From 2nd educational institutions he chose Technical School. One of the teachers of this school was at that time the famous scientist Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovsky ( see article "Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovsky"), who taught a course called "Theoretical foundations of aeronautics". Lectures Zhukovsky were not only interesting, but evoked hype among students!!! During lectures due to shortage of places students in the audience and stood and even sat on the semi! attended lectures Zhukovsky and Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. Its for real captured idea aeronautics.

students organized in the school aeronautic circle and choose Zhukovsky chairman Cup. First product, made by students in this circle, became glider. Truth, glider it can be called with stretch. By design, it was rather closer to hang glider. Tupolev had a chance first fly on this machine, and it is safe flew over on it across the river Yauza. present aircraft designer must definitely try FEELING OF FLIGHT. He must feel, how AIR HOLD aircraft ! Feel, experienced during this short flight Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev remembered for all life!

Next flying apparatus made students after glider became real airplane. It was accurate copy aircraft French inventor Louis Blériot, on which the for the first time v stories flew across the strait English Channel. Respectively first flying apparatus Tupolev became Louis Blériot plane. This is not nothing reprehensible because all aircraft designers who have achieved great success, started with building existing aircraft models. Already at that time Zhukovsky singled out Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev among other students thanks to his inclinations leader, technical ingenuity, big working capacity. When Zhukovsky decided to create aerodynamic laboratory in Higher Moscow Technical School, then appointed Tupolev manager equipment aviation laboratory.

At the beginning 20th century in Russia there was a lively discussion about future country. students took an active participation in this discussion. They organized underground mugs, reading forbidden literature. V Soviet time Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev tried to present active wrestler against royal regime, but in fact he was far from Total this and completely dedicated own life study and aviation! Later Tupolev remembered : "Service, which I could provide comrades seemed so empty, what am I agreed. I was asked to allow use my address for correspondence with other student organizations ». Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev allowed. police fast figured out the address forbidden correspondence and March 14, 1911 his year arrested put in police plot. Authorities forced Tupolev leave Moscow. Not a request helped. directors school, not even a solicitation Zhukovsky! Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev went to parents.

Across one and a half years to promote Zhukovsky, Tupolev restore at the school. But here autumn 1919 year he found tuberculosis. Him cut out one lung. The doctors warned : « Living with such a disease not for long, but can. But to work with large categorically forbidden". All of my life Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev will live by the principle – every day can be last, so you have to do maximum possible!

He returned to a technical school only through 3 year, in year start World War I war. students accepted participation in creating real combat devices. They produced calculations and purge devices in wind tunnel. V 1918 year Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev graduated technical school in the specialty mechanical engineer. At this time in Russia happened turbulent political events. As a result revolution happened change of power. Industry work stopped reigned in the country chaos, devastation and hunger. However, even in such an environment people were found who decided continue own case no matter what !

Such people turned out to be Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovsky and Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. They asked the government to create institute for studying the problems of aeronautics. Zhukovsky and Tupolev So earnestly proved the necessity of the existence of such an institution that the government not only allowed, but also gave money for project implementation !!! Zhukovsky and Tupolev So rejoiced success that we decided Mark this case ! On the way home they come in soon Cafe. There was nothing but curdled milk and honey. Accordingly, they noted such a great event as the beginning origins of TsAGI just having eaten curdled milk With honey!

chief TsAGI(Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute) became Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovsky. His deputy, as they said then "comrade" was appointed Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev aged 30 years . Tupolev elected head of department aviation. This department was essentially design bureau (KB), where they met build aircraft. But first we decided to create a serious scientific and experimental base. In addition, it was determined in advance which direction work will be carried out.

At that time in Russia rich in forest aircraft built from WOOD, and there was a strong lumberjack lobby. But Tupolev managed to prove advantages of metal and proposed to build from METAL. He also suggested another innovation. Then Russian aircraft by type of design were BIPLANES, Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev proposed MONOPLANES. By that time in world already existed samples metal monoplanes. V Russia there were certain technical difficulties in their production, but in spite of this it came understanding, that further perspective creating aircraft for monoplanes from metal.

The point is that on that moment v Russia generally DID NOT EXIST metal production, raw materials for aviation industry. So Tupolev took up ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION OF RAW MATERIALS for aviation, from METAL. This was also facilitated understanding of officials developing industry.

From this it is clear that Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev was engaged decision complex problems, including causes, causing this problem. This principle he will follow all my a life! He also followed another principle - sequence of steps while moving towards the target. For example, details from aluminum first applied and tested not on airplanes, but on the ground - on gliders and snowmobiles. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev remembered : « From new material we will build, for example, snowmobile. We'll survive everything trouble development new tricks work. Let's study application duralumin not on the plane, where is the error worth a life people, but on vehicles moving along earthly firmament. It's much safer. A engineers and workers will be typed experience and on them ».

V 1923 year young KB released first airplane. The car was named after primary letters of the surname, patronymic name "ANT-1". The plane had a scheme monoplane. Duralumin it was used very limitedly, only for research. Second the car was already entirely from metal. During testing, we studied metal behavior already in real aircraft sample. Tests have shown that it is superior German "Junkers" and English "Bristol". For creating ANT-2, Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev awarded with a prize – a trip to France, England and Germany!

He did not suspect that from the moment first success and travel abroad started after him secret observation OGPU and careful compilation dossier. Especially since Tupolev was NON-PARTY and famous for independence. After suggestions join the ranks VKP(b) Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev refused. He was asked : « Why you not want to join VKP(b)? By beliefs or you it no need?" He replied : « Of course by beliefs because I do not need it." Such an answer at that time was more, how risky. Then to consist in the ranks parties meant - to be or not to be further career. Tragedy will happen later.

Treated like intermediate construction phase full-fledged aircraft for military and civil aviation. The point is that at that time NOT ALL used precise calculations in the design of aircraft. Many constructors acted on intuition. But Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev already then, starting from the design, used wind tunnel, balance for determining alignment, spent static tests. Today these operations seem taken for granted and then it was still necessary come up with and build. Parallel with the construction of aircraft went arrangement research base TsAGI.

Third machine type Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, already built serially. V mid 1920s years Red Army Air Force consisted mainly of foreign aircraft, purchased Abroad. became one of the first domestic aircraft, which was supposed to REPLACE aircraft, PURCHASED abroad. V 1926 year August 31st one from specimens with the name "Proletarian", manned M.M.Gromov made famous high-speed flight on capitals states Western Europe!!!

There's no way could not understand in which country Russians acquired this plane !? For Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev It was it is better any praise! In addition, he was not indifferent PRESTIGE countries and how then Tupolev said he was set "Catch up and overtake the West!" V May 1927 years in the USSR starts fundraising on defense under the slogan – our answer Chamberlain. V 1927 year August 20 ANT-3 with the title "Our Answer" flew out of Moscow v Tokyo!

Next large achievement KB Tupolev became huge in those days bomber "ANT-4". Scheme this bomber has become classic.

The development of bombers around the world went exactly according to the scheme chosen Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev - it's free-bearing monoplane with engines located on leading edge of the wing. At the beginning 1929 of the year ANT-4 committed historical flight Moscow—New York! V August 1929 of the year M.M. Gromov ( see article "Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov") on the first passenger airplane Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, « ANT-9″ with the title "Wings of Soviets" makes a flight to Western Europe!

another car KB Tupolev became a four-engine ANT-6″. V troops this car is called TB-3. Abbreviation "TB" meant "Heavy Bomber". V 1932 year May 1st on the holiday, 9 aircraft ANT-6 pass over Red Square. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev becomes leading aircraft designer in THE USSR.

Government forced even forgive him NON-PARTY. 15 year old anniversary TsAGI was declared a holiday for all Soviet science and technology!!! He was celebrated in Bolshoi Theatre, there was all guide country. Heavy Commissar industry Sergo Ordzhonikidze proclaimed from the podium Tupolev the best representative new Soviet intelligentsia. Rest aircraft designers considered themselves undeservedly bypassed. Each subsequent bomber took everything big sizes. It seemed that the designers decided to try to what degree generally possible enlarge aircraft in this race for size !

V 1932 year editor magazine "Spark", Mikhail Koltsov made a proposal for construction in honor of 40th anniversary of creative activities Maxim Gorky with the aim of agitation giant aircraft. Then citizens our country collected for its construction 6 000 000 rubles ! Today it over 1,000,000,000 rubles ! As a result, there appeared biggest v world plane from metal "Maxim Gorky". giant tests, Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev passed successfully! test pilot M.M. Gromov ( see article "Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov") gave the best reviews about this car ! V 1935 year May 18th "Maksim Gorky" suffered catastrophe as a result COLLISIONS With fighter I-5, accompanying "Maxim Gorky". Fighter I-5 ruled Nikolai Pavlovich Blagin. Blagin committed ERROR in piloting when performing aerobatics, "dead loop". He made flyby "Maxim Gorky", did not calculate the distance before him and output from "dead loop" nearly vertically crashed nose v wing of Maxim Gorky. perished 46 Human.

Inspections have begun KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. Investigation conducted by the commission NKVD. Behind the back Tupolev whispered detractors. he himself experienced incident no less relatives dead ! Andrey Nikolaevich until the end of your life helped money families dead and injured in plane crashes his planes . Every month from salaries he is with daughter Julia spread the money around envelopes, and then she delivered them by addresses. But 2 grandmothers for some reason he took the money alone, together With daughter.

On the West aircraft manufacturers counted only to myself, but for Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev stood financial whole states! Thanks to centralization of financial means and ability convince customer Tupolev became main aircraft manufacturer THE USSR. Even then, the project budget Andrey Nikolaevich on the head exceeded other Soviet aircraft designers ! He easily talked to the then head of aviation industry Peter Ionovich Baranov, People's Commissar of Heavy industry Sergo Ordzhonikidze. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev could force work for yourself industries! Any task he started fulfill only after provided yourself reliable rear. Main he organized production in Moscow, where could it be the most powerful aviation base on the central airfield. Branches of enterprises Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev were in Kazan, v Kuibyshev(today Samara), v Voronezh, v Taganrog.

Then aviation was measure of success country. Many sought to occupy in it high position. Some did it for closeness To authorities. So Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev ( see the article now having at this time KB became Stalin's referent for questions aviation. He could produce impressions plant your small plane to some small lawn somewhere near With Stalin's dacha. Although, of course, this is not at all does not diminish the merits of Yakovlev in business aircraft industry. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev never did not seek participate in under carpet fight and brushed aside warnings. On the first place he had a lover Work, in which he did not know defeat!

Before the war Tupolev, and was getting many tasks, and for many I took it myself - airplanes, snowmobiles, gondolas, airships, torpedo boats. All this he designed from metal. It is no coincidence that the country's leadership more often applied with tasks to KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev because they were behind him scientific and experimental base TsAGI, factories producing scarce products from aluminum. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev considered himself an activist state scale and you can tell them was! He could myself do not hesitate present to the customer building task future aircraft, especially since the customer not always clearly represented what this aircraft or other product, should be.

Despite the attached efforts government, aviation v the USSR developed SLOWLY. Not enough qualified personnel, funds, experience, and production capacities. Plans for the production of aircraft were frustrated. This state of affairs couldn't for a long time arrange. At the beginning 1930s years began reorganization. V 1931 year everything experimental aircraft industry decided collect into one powerful Centre. A graduate was appointed head of this association Air Force Academy, Sergei Ilyushin(see article) . Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev also entered compound associations.

Such a design "collective farm" clearly not arranged Tupolev. He's fine knew their opportunities! This association was extremely centralized so it couldn't last long. Across 18 months Tupolev Design Bureau became again independent. After doom again independence, KB Tupolev set to work with a new energy! Andrey Nikolaevich I was not only involved in design. He worked and promotion their cars in serial production and operation. Exactly Tupolev first v the USSR started creating branches design office at factories, who produced his aircraft serially. Such innovation strongly reduced terms implementation new technology.

next plane KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev became "SB". Abbreviation decoding - fast bomber The fact is that military tasked to create bomber possessing no less speed than the then fighters and if necessary able leave from fighters to speed! This is a requirement for speed It was PRIORITY and Design Bureau Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev at designing this type of aircraft came from the main thing is speed.

This requirement was achieved, among other things, thanks to minimum area windshield resistance fuselage(narrow fuselage) . Sat really was leaving from fighters that time ! the only inconvenience for the pilots narrow fuselage . This was especially evident during Finnish wars when flights were carried out winter v thick clothes . However, with this reconciled to please speed bomber. This car has become the most numerous bomber Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, they were released over 6,000 things !

TO mid 1930s years the USSR had the most numerous bomber fleet in the world majority whose aircraft belonged KB Tupolev! armada Sat and TB-3 already existed and approach were new cars ! V 1936 year Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev appoint deputy chief aviation industry, while he still remained main designer of his KB. V 1937 A number of significant events took place during the year Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. This year May 5th his plane ANT-7 for the first time flying over North Pole! Across fortnight, May 21st ANT-6 landed on a drifting ice floe expedition Ivan Dmitrievich Papanin.

Those who for the first time saw the plane Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, ANT-25 took him for FANTASTIC plane from FUTURE! By this time it had accumulated solid experience aviation flights pilots and navigators. The government decides to establish world distance record flight by straight. Crew Valery Pavlovich Chkalov ( see article " Valery Pavlovich Chkalov), on through North Pole flew to America June 20, 1937 of the year ! Following a similar flight carried out Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov. On airplanes KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev several have been installed world records ! But that's all changed v overnight.

V 1937 year On October 21, Tupolev was arrested right into it working office with standard at the time the wording - foreign spy member wrecking organizations ??? He was accused of transferring drawings of foreign intelligence and that he supposedly With 1924 year is French agent intelligence. Remembered all foreign business trips Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. Sentence sounded like this : deprivation of liberty for a period of 15 years with a defeat in political rights and with confiscation all personal property belonging to him.

How such understand and not just arrest, and herself monstrous injustice!? After all, he so many made for country! His aircraft were bomber base aviation THE USSR. His cars after record flights brought glory to the country! He created advanced industries industry! But Stalinist regime was relentless! Also arrested and Tupolev's wife, Yulia Nikolaevna. She will leave from there through 2 year completely sick. After arrest parents 2nd children Tupoleva - 16-year-old Yulia and 13-year-old Alexey will remain alone. The very next day after the arrest, the name Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev disappeared from printed publications, as if it wasn't aircraft with brand "ANT". By car Tupolev instead "ANT" an abbreviation appeared for several years TsAGI.

First Tupolev long been in solitary camera on Lubyanka. Then he was transferred to Butyrskaya prison. There investigators, replacing each other several days in a row, led interrogation, without giving Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev neither sit, neither sleep. V Butyrskaya he was in jail for about of the year. Subsequently, he will write a letter to Beria, that all signed by him protocols are beaten out by force. Except himself Tupolev arrested and almost all workers his KB. Their NOT shot but created PRISON KB, which then prisoners called "Sharaga", "Sharashka". Number of specialists "Sharashki" amounted to 316 people arrested from 1937 on 1938th of the year. Names in "Sharashka" was not, everyone prisoner assigned ROOM.

Chief designer "Sharagi" became natural Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. He could even find in himself the courage to disagree to work in "Sharaga" so he put 2 conditions, mind you Stalinist regime! First, he agree to work in "Sharaga" only if it family will remain on freedom and he see you with a family . He started to work only after after receiving from the family the confirmation. Second, to plug to his work other talented specialists. way attract To his work others arrested designers, Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev trying save colleagues from execution, prisons and camps. He calls surnames those who should be translated v "Sharashka". So appeared list of "two hundred"! This list includes the future general designer Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, who at the time was leaving term in the mines for Kolyma. Tupolev led diploma project Queen and even then I noticed capabilities Sergei Pavlovich. Queen brought to "Sharashka" sick — With scurvy and completely exhausted. But the main thing is that it a life was saved! So that Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev was, of course "lump"!

V "Sharashka" Tupolev behaved NOT ORDINARY. Otherwise, he could not spiritual freedom didn't let me feel a slave even being prisoners! First happened incomprehensible for that time event is he refused to comply exercise Stalin and Beria, who ordered to create 4th motor bomber. Tupolev proved that for these conditions wars appropriate construct 2nd motor diving high speed bomber. Former prisoner Sharashki by Leonid Kerber remembered : « When having climbed the whole aircraft in the assembly shop and not finding his overseer Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev To pleasure all workers and free designers loudly shouted. Hey who's here my, Come here hurry up follow me and do not get lost, me you search is not handy! This IMPRESSED! Same way Tupolev could, during a conversation with colleagues, seeing behind his back, guards, shout out loud. SHUT!"

After start Great Patriotic wars "Sharagu" evacuated to Omsk and many prisoners freed, including Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. V imprisonment he stayed 3 years 9 months and became again free constructor . After the conclusion on the loose he didn't hold no one resentment. Even in a circle families never to anyone didn't complain. He said : « Gotta love that one motherland, which there is!" But throughout all subsequent life he categorically did not accept Stalin's repressions! Much later, after the election Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev v The Supreme Council he will lead there pardon committee. V the USSR he will be called "Key to Jail" Tupolev came huge number of letters from requests about release repressed. He sent petitions and called over the phone and asked personal conversations at the expense of these people, if those really were convicted undeservedly.

After release it would be logical use Tupolev with his design talent and organizational ability, but the government was slow connect Tupolev To cause defense of the country. Still in prison Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev designed an aircraft under the index "103". He did not have a cell paper, That's why Tupolev's calculations produced in UME and in between interrogations. In fact, this machine SAVE A LIFE Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev. On the front this car flew under the name Created in prison became the best bomber Great Patriotic wars ! He excelled for all characteristics German "Junkers-88". But built these bombers it was quite Little.

The point is that in early wars aviation factories have been loaded production approved aircraft types. convince government rebuild conveyor for the release of another, let even more perfect plane, during the war, it was too hard. Factories debugged release of fighters Yakovlev(see article "Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev") and Lavochkin(see article "Semyon Alekseevich Lavochkin"), bombers Ilyushin(see article "Sergei Vladimirovich Ilyushin") and Petlyakova. Being unclaimed Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev remains only one - farther improve already existing Although it must be said that in this he succeeded having created several modifications bomber. V 1943 year KB Tupolev moved to Moscow. From that moment on, it remained not so much time until new takeoff KB.

V 1943 year Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev award State Prize! V 1944 give the title major general aviation ! In the victorious 1945 year Title of Hero of the Soviet Union with delivery higher awards USSR, Order of Lenin.

V 1947 year will be awarded the title lieutenant general, will be awarded again State Prize and second The order of Lenin. All these awards Andrey Nikolaevich received when system more did not cancel mine sentence! He will rehabilitated only in 1955 year. This position allowed Keep human "in check". In spite of this Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev did not idolater.

V end World War II wars relationship between allies the USSR and USA everything became tighter and then nuclear bombing in Japan v August 1945 year the situation is even more worsened. At that time the USSR too started to develop your nuclear weapons. But do nuclear bomb – it's just half the battle need it more and deliver to the right place. Given the fact that nuclear bomb has pretty impressive weight and sizes, to deliver it to the right place can only certain carrier. Relevant missiles back then did not have. Here Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev and instructed create such carrier, that is airplane. At Tupolev at that time was already project of his such a bomber able carry nuclear bomb. but Stalin decided otherwise. He ordered copy american bomber B-29. Exactly they produced atomic bombing in Japan.

In second half 1940s years B-29 flew not only bombing of Japan but also flew into intelligence flights on territory of the USSR on the thousands kilometers. Several of these B-29 forced put on territory of the USSR. After that they surpassed v Moscow and started copying. For all work given 2 years. Certain difficulties. In addition to the translation from inch dimensional quantities v metric, it was necessary to create materials, devices, units. It was a work of scale Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. He set to work energetically and puzzled not only aviation industry, but related industries providing development materials, equipment, instruments. In essence, this task brought the USSR on the new level of technology and development technology! The created aircraft was named Tu-4. His accelerated launched at a rapid pace series and made 800 machines.

Till Tupolev created Tu-4, aviation began to move from piston To reactive thrust. First reactive aircraft KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev turned out unsuccessful. For example, noticeable yielded frontline bomber Ilyushin, Il-28. but Andrey Nikolaevich released the next car large by size, "Tu-16", which has become one of the best bombers in the world! Tu-16 produced not only in very in large quantities but also in different modifications. In service distant aviation USSR, Tu-16 stood a few decades!

At Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev there was another professional trait. He often had to work in conditions unlimited funding but at the same time he is very diligently belonged to spending funds ! So, for example, in 1930s many years civil cars Tupolev were just redone from military. In general, many of his aircraft were unified. For instance, passenger airplane PS-9 developed on the basis scout R-6. Later after the war, when it was time to create jet passenger airplane, Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev already gone verified way. Moreover, he gave not only savings, but also additional reliability guarantee new aircraft, thanks to the fact that they have already been used verified v work aggregates. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev generally believed that it had not yet been accumulated own sufficient experience in creating passenger jets aircraft, you can not proceed to their design with zero. Need to take it already well-established the structure itself and on its base With small make alterations passenger airplane.

Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev always to the end defended own opinion. For him ranks and did not have a title no values. He could call Kremlin connection to someone minister and say : « Why are you bothering me to do business ?» That is enough free and at ease! Until the end of life Tupolev will remain NON-PARTY. One day one of high party officials orders him to do new plane to party congress. For what Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev will answer : « Transfer congress!!!" Once again he will be ordered : « To November 7th the plane was in air!" When November 7th government commission arrived at the airport see the result I saw how 2 helicopters keep on cables in the sky empty frame of the projected aircraft !!! In government forced been with it put up. Aircraft Tupolev were the best!

Well proven Tu-16 bomber was taken for basis for development passenger aircraft Tu-104. For passenger option in it was necessary remake only fuselage. Truth, word "only", gives not quite right picture of quantity future work for KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev. The point is that on passenger airplane except fuselage enlargement, it was necessary leave his also sealed and all this while saving strength. The fuselage, being airtight, withstands more air pressure from within aircraft, since on a large altitude pressure air overboard aircraft many times less, how inside the sealed fuselage, due to the large sparsity air overboard.

First in the world jet passenger became an airplane British Comet. Across short operating time Comets several disasters this type of aircraft. Comets were taken off the airlines find out the reasons disasters. figured out causes 3 years and came to conclusion what in certain place fuselage skin did not survive in flight long deformations and fuselage skin occurred in flight crack. KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev took into account this sad experience and on their planes avoided repetition similar errors.

V 1955 year June 17 Tu-104 committed first test flight. V September 1956 of the year the first Soviet jet passenger airplane Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, Tu-104 made his first flight with passengers. Tu-104 opened regular airline Moscow-Omsk-Irkutsk. However, in 1958 year happened immediately 2nd catastrophes this type of aircraft. On the Tupolev rained down accusations. As a result investigations It was established, what catastrophes occurred as a result insufficient deflection angle of the stabilizer. Malfunction eliminated and operation of this type of aircraft successfully continued. Tu-104 became symbol technical capabilities THE USSR. Airplane with pride shown at air shows abroad. Tupolev attended at many of these shows. V foreign his trips always accompanied spouse Yulia Nikolaevna. She knew well enough 4 language. Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev only knew French, but didn't like translators, That's why Julia Nikolaevna constantly present in foreign trips and was his translator.

main theme KB Tupolev were heavy military aircraft. Far bomber aircraft the USSR It consisted of Tu-4 and Tu-16. But progress aviation development required speed increase and range flight . By both sides iron curtain flared up no joke fight for excellence! lose this race was it is forbidden because in fact at stake stood by itself the existence of the USSR! Price question was too much high to rely on one company, even if KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev.

The country's leadership instructed this exercise and highlighted facilities straightaway 2nd Design Bureau - Tupolev and Myasishcheva(see article "Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev"). Deadlines set as always shortest. So a former worker Tupolev Design Bureau, V.M. Myasishchev became his competitor. Different firms have different approached to the solution of the task. Bomber Myasishcheva had a great degree novelty! differently and could not be given the assignment ! Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev was a prudent conservatism. Although the task and its forced apply a lot innovations! The result of the competition was acceptance of both projects - Myasishchevsky jet "M-4" and Tupolev Tu-95 turboprop.

Airplane Tupolev, Tu-95 is still in use today, and the aircraft Myasishcheva, M-4 out of use. Conclusion M-4 out of application before, how Tu-95 was conditioned not so many refusal from this designs, how absence necessary for him engines. jet bomber engines M-4 spent too a lot of fuel at minimum perspective traction increase(see article "The main reasons for the collapse of the Soviet and Russian aviation industry").

Naturally Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev considered himself first in creating our heavy aircraft. When encroachments on his championship he usually immediately reacted. But at the beginning 1960s frantic years began arms race, and work became grab on the everyone. In addition, now the planes have become much are more complicated. A very large number labor-intensive projects in which they participated numerous related enterprises. All this did not scare Tupolev. In all this he was like a fish v water.

Next time monopoly Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev disturbed by another former employee his KB, Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi ( see article « Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi. KB Sukhova won competition to create supersonic strategic missile carrier. After the appearance of this aircraft was named "Su-100", "weave" ( see article "Su-100"). The aircraft had OUTSTANDING characteristics and SUCCESSFULLY passed TESTS!!! But it turned out that Dry build these planes serially nowhere. aircraft factories capable place such large-sized products are under the control Tupolev, and he had your plans to load their enterprises.

V KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev simultaneously were under development dozens projects. In addition to bombers, these were passenger liners. After Tu-104 appeared new plane with big size, which was supposed to contain 170 passengers ! He got the name Tu-114 and was equipped turboprop engines. It was also an aircraft created on base strategic bomber, Tu-95 and was designed for intercontinental range of flight . At that moment Tu-114, Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev was the largest passenger by plane to the world!

Tu-114 appeared in to a large extent thanks to the board N.S. Khrushchev, who was very hot desire to surprise peace ! Especially, Khrushchev wanted to show our achievements, Americans to demonstrate supposedly development benefits our country. Khrushchev even insisted about to fly to America exactly on Tu-114, although fine knew What's on that moment liner more I FAILED completely all TESTS! Long distance liner Tu-114 installed 32 world record !!! Per 15 years of operation occurred only one catastrophe Tu-114, but NOT on the aircraft's fault. In their design activities Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev skillfully combined traditional technical solutions with innovations. By the same principle Andrey Nikolaevich acted during the creation next passenger aircraft , "Tu-124", Tu-134 and Tu-154. Aircraft Tupolev released several hundreds of pieces v year!!!

exception from this rule became passenger supersonic Tu-144(see article) . EXTRAORDINARY for passenger aviation flight parameters – 2nd speed of sound, height flight from 17 000 before 20 000 meters, non-standard engines, supply comfortable flight conditions for passengers and crew. All this assumed UNSeen prior design solutions, application new materials and new technologies. During creation Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev was already in declining age, but he wanted to have time to solve this super complex task ! Besides Tupolev set the task overtake English-French similar project "Concord", who is already went full move.

When creating at stake PRESTIGE countries, therefore FACILITIES to create it simply DID NOT COUNT! Andrei Nikolaevich, being no longer so energetic, he still tried strain all their opportunities to attract industry countries to implement this project! task KB Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev DONE!!! took off on 2 months before Concorde, namely December 31, 1968 of the year !!! Total supersonic passenger aircraft were built 19 pieces.

Unfortunately 2nd catastrophes since served PREPOSITION for closing project ??? And first catastrophe June 3rd, 1973 years in Le Bourget(see article) happened NOT on THE FAULT OF THE AIRCRAFT and CREW, a decision to close project after second catastrophe, which, although it occurred due to equipment failure, was the result THE POINT-SIGHTED MANAGEMENT our country ??? by the most mass Soviet passenger aircraft for a long time became Tu-154.

A son Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, Alexei went along father's footsteps and became aircraft designer ( see article "Alexey Andreevich Tupolev"). Daughter, Julia became medical worker. She went With father on all trips was on duty in his work office and performed the functions the attending physician. May be, thanks to daughter Tupolev reach the age 84 year instead of released him 35 years ! Andrey Nikolaevich was good family man. It was very important to him preservation family, correct parenting! The fiftieth anniversary of Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev Design Bureau noted in October 1972 year as holiday of Soviet science and technology. Tupolev awarded Third Star of the Hero of Socialist Labor!!! He won't be December 23, 1972 of the year. Doctors don't understand how Andrey Nikolaevich lived long and bright life with incurable illness, how to endure prison conclusion, nervous overload !?

Perhaps, the best characteristic Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev given by test pilot Mark Lazarevich Gallay: “Rarely I met a man in my life like this cared little about what impression he produces on surrounding! Maybe that's why impression he invariably produced the most strong. They talk about him rudeness Yes Tupolev did not hesitate to use non-normative vocabulary. Could on technical advice very much impartial speak out to colleagues from others KB, but could cry, not hiding tears, if trials his cars people were dying!" They also talk about justice Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev, skill listen to the point council, whoever it comes from. However, by no means does he did not suppress someone else's authority. He's scary did not like careerists, lazy and stupid but always could elevate people standing!

One can say Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev partly lucky, he ended up in right place v the right moment but then you have to add - he NOT in vain took it place, being suitable candidacy as nobody else! Its many times asked why he does not write memoirs about my rich and rich life ? Usually he or remained silent or laughed it off but once Seriously said : « I don't write, I do !» apparently Andrey Nikolaevich Tupolev it was much more interesting to do something new, how recall about already done!

Tu-144 Flight Moscow—Alma-Ata

Andrei Nikolaevich was born on October 29 (November 10), 1888, in a large family in the village of Pustomazovo, located on the territory of the modern Kalinin region. His mother, Anna Vasilievna, was the daughter of a judicial investigator from Tiflis. She was well educated, knew several languages, played the piano beautifully, took care of all the housework, and independently gave the children a primary education. Father, Nikolai Ivanovich Tupolev, was from the Siberian Cossacks, originally from Surgut. He worked as a notary of the district court, but did not like his job, and therefore he acquired a small plot of land, settled on it and began to farm.

Andrei Tupolev later recalled: “We lived modestly. I had older brothers Sergei and Nikolai, as well as sisters Natalia, Tatyana, Vera and Maria. Mother gave us all her strength, her whole soul. Our family was very large and friendly. Not patriarchal, but certainly progressive.”

Since 1901, Andrei Nikolaevich studied at the Tver gymnasium, about which he later wrote: “In order for the children to study, the whole family had to move to Tver. Our class was friendly, however, it was not accepted to study well. I just tried to keep up with my peers. I didn't have any toys in Pustomazovo. They were expensive and I made them myself out of wood. And in the gymnasium there were lessons of manual labor. Here I could engage in carpentry, some of my things even got to the exhibition. While studying at the gymnasium, I realized that I love technology, I realized that I need to go in this direction. In the autumn of 1908, Andrei Tupolev successfully passed the exams in two educational institutions in Moscow: the Institute of Railway Engineers and IMTU. He chose IMTU.

Andrey Nikolaevich recalled about the first years in Moscow: “Money was constantly lacking. Once it got really bad, and then I decided to pawn my inferior coat in a pawnshop. I was looking for a pawnshop, and it seemed to me that everyone was looking at me, at the coat under my arm. I was never able to find a pawnshop and returned hungry that day. Fortunately, the next day, three rubles came from home.”

In October 1909, lectures on aeronautics at IMTU began to be read by N.E. Zhukovsky, who also headed the Aeronautical Circle, formed on the initiative of students. In December of the same year, Tupolev joined the circle, for whom his acquaintance with Nikolai Yegorovich was of crucial importance. He himself said that "from that moment my aviation life began." Just four months later, Andrei Tupolev became one of the most active members of the circle. His works - a flat wind tunnel and a model of an aircraft - attracted the attention of people at the aeronautical exhibition that took place.

After the end of the exhibition, the students began testing the balancing glider they had created. And the funds raised from ticket sales, together with a number of private donations, made it possible for the circle to start developing its own airplane. However, in the spring of 1911, Andrei's studies were unexpectedly interrupted. Having received from an unknown source information about Tupolev's political unreliability, a search was made in his room, and he himself was detained. One of the first to try to help out the future designer Zhukovsky, who announced that his student was busy in the circle and had no time for "extraneous" things. An attempt to release Tupolev from custody was also made by the director of IMTU Gavrilenko. Despite all the petitions, Andrei Nikolaevich was released only in April due to the death of his father. He was also forbidden to live exactly one year in any cities with higher educational institutions.

Tupolev spent about two and a half years in his native village, doing things far from aviation. He wrote: “When I returned home, I had the difficult task of burying my father. Things were not going well for our family. But I was young and strong. Having cultivated the land well, I planted vegetables. Gradually, things began to improve.”

On February 6, 1913, police supervision of A.N. Tupolev was canceled, and in the fall of this year he managed to recover at the ITU, continuing to work in the aerodynamic laboratory, built on the basis of the old circle. Over the next year, he quickly became one of Zhukovsky's most active students, showing the ability of both a scientific researcher and a designer.

After the outbreak of the First World War, the military department turned to Nikolai Yegorovich on the issues of purging and examining the details of the aircraft in service. A sharp increase in the volume of work made it possible, with the support of the military, to organize the first Russian Aviation Design and Test Bureau in the summer of 1916. Professor Zhukovsky headed it, and Tupolev became one of his assistants in the position of head of laboratory facilities. In parallel with his research work, Andrey Nikolayevich managed to do aerodynamic calculations. In 1916, he calculated the Anatra airplane and the fighter of the Kosyanenko brothers. On the recommendation of Zhukovsky, student Andrey Tupolev was involved in work in the commission developing the strength standards for airplanes, in which, in addition to him, professors A.P. Van der Fleet, G.A. Botezat, S.P. Timoshenko.

In 1916, Andrei Nikolaevich for some time led the design of a hydroplane at the Duks plant. Here is what he himself wrote about this: “I had a meager experience, but I really wanted to try. Created a design bureau, began to create a seaplane. But the technical director of the plant, returning from France, brought a patent for the construction of the French model. They didn’t call me, they just informed me through people that they would build a foreign aircraft, and not one designed by me. I was young at that time, offended, took the drawings and left. However, later the drawings still came in handy, becoming the basis of Tupolev's diploma.

The revolution in Russia did not interrupt the work of the Design and Test Bureau; at the end of the summer of 1918, A.N. Tupolev headed the direction of aerodynamic calculations and instrument design. In the same year, he received the title of mechanical engineer, defending with honors a project entitled "Experience in creating a hydroplane according to wind tunnel tests." In 1920, Tupolev tried himself as a teacher, giving a course of lectures "Fundamentals of Aerodynamic Calculation" at the Moscow Higher Technical School. The following year, he was already entrusted with the "Theory of Airplanes", "The Theory of Hydroplanes", "Normal and Special Design of Hydroplanes", as well as the course "Hydroaviation" at the Institute. NOT. Zhukovsky.

Soon, Nikolai Yegorovich and a number of his closest associates came to the conclusion that the further development of aircraft manufacturing in the country was possible only if there was a powerful research base. The idea to create a scientific aerohydrodynamic institute was personally supported by V.I. Lenin and in December 1918 he began his activities. The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI for short) was headed by Zhukovsky, while Tupolev became the head of the aviation department. From the very beginning, he set before his employees completely non-aerohydrodynamic tasks aimed at developing a whole range of scientific developments necessary in the future for aircraft construction. The institute studied aviation alloys and their protection against corrosion, aircraft engines, the strength of aircraft structures, flight test methods, and much more. After the death of Zhukovsky, Tupolev continued his work on the further development and expansion of TsAGI. To solve emerging issues, he widely attracted specialists and scientists from various fields of science.

In the life of Andrei Nikolaevich, a goal appeared - to create a whole new industry, the aviation industry, capable of mass developing and producing aircraft. In 1924, thanks to Tupolev's proposal, the country's top leadership decided to create a metallurgical base for aircraft construction, which made it possible to produce special aviation materials in large quantities. At the insistence of Tupolev, light magnesium alloys were developed in the 30s, and high-strength aluminum alloys for high-speed aircraft in the late 40s. At the end of the 60s, new aluminum-based heat-resistant alloys for supersonic aircraft appeared. It was Tupolev who first began to use high-strength chromansil steel, fiberglass and some other non-metallic materials. A special laboratory was organized to create and study them.

In 1923, Tupolev created the all-metal highly reliable snowmobile ANT-P, the experience gained later allowed him to develop new designs of gliders and marine torpedo boats, mass-produced during the Great Patriotic War. And in 1924, flight tests of the first all-metal aircraft ANT-2 ended in success.

ANT-2

Step by step, using the example of foreign models and our own experience, TsAGI formed production and design teams, expanded production facilities and workshops, and built new buildings. Becoming in 1936 the chief engineer of the Main Directorate of the Aviation Industry, A.N. Tupolev begins to rebuild old and build new aircraft factories for the mass production of aircraft. To do this, he makes extensive use of advanced imported equipment, and also follows the principles used in the US automotive industry, which he had the opportunity to learn during a number of business trips. Thanks to Andrei Nikolaevich, technological processes developed abroad, including cladding and anodizing, were introduced. These events helped to organize the mass production of aircraft during the war years. Also, Tupolev was one of the first to understand the need to use computers to improve calculation methods and increase the number of factors taken into account, creating one of the first computing centers.

Each new Tupolev aircraft was an event in technology. Based on the experience gained, he included in each project only the most minimal amount of new, using the path of a consistent structure of aircraft. For example, the aircraft "77", "73" and "82" served as the stages for the creation of the Tu-16 twin-engine jet bomber. Among the aircraft created by Tupolev were not mass-produced models, but there were no unfinished, unable to fly.

Tu-16

After the end of the war, Tupolev launched the construction of new laboratory and production buildings, specialized workshops and branches, and founded a flight development base. Not forgetting about his employees, he sought the construction of new houses and recreation centers for them, garden cooperatives and kindergartens.

Tupolev is the author of many unique technical solutions, such as a prototyping method capable of solving spatial layout problems on wooden models, or the creation of entire flying laboratories for testing engines and other aircraft systems. Eyewitnesses said that wherever Andrei Nikolayevich was, no matter what he did, his head was constantly thinking - what of what he had read, heard or seen could be applied to the development of aircraft construction.

The great designer has always been able to correctly interpret the tasks assigned to the future aircraft. When developing the ANT-31 in 1932, Tupolev was the first to understand the main task of a new generation of fighters - to catch up with the enemy. By the beginning of the war, the monoplane scheme had become the standard for all fighters in the world. And in 1950, he realized the advantage of heavy jet bombers over piston-engine aircraft, starting to design the Tu-16, which later amazed many specialists.

Tupolev loved well-detailed preliminary layouts. He said: "The more details they drew, the more problems they thought about." He spoke about careless layouts: "They smeared it without thinking." Tupolev also did not tolerate speculative conclusions. Wherever, at whatever level the meeting took place, he made decisions only on the basis of experimental results or those obtained in the course of careful calculations.

To eliminate the defects identified at the stage of flight tests, Tupolev organized a wide technical process with the participation of specialists from various industries. He devoted a lot of time to working with aircraft crews, contributing to the improvement of their theoretical and practical training. For this, aerobatic training stands for pilots were created. Before the first flight, Tupolev talked for a long time with the pilots, told them about the creation of the aircraft, thereby instilling his confidence in the apparatus. And after the flight, he asked for detailed stories about what the pilots had learned and felt. Of course, the designer had to witness the catastrophes and accidents of his test and production aircraft. People were dying, and, feeling his responsibility to their families, Andrei Nikolaevich used all his authority and influence to help the families of the victims, seeking pensions and benefits. In addition, he conducted a thorough search for the causes of what happened, eliminated all defects and defended the need to continue testing this model in disputes with management. As a rule, his arguments were accepted, and then the aircraft was successfully operated for a long time (for example, this was the case with the Tu-134). Later, Tupolev came up with a service for the operation of mass-produced aircraft. Based on the data she collected, decisions were made on the further modernization of the aircraft.

Tu-134

In total, under the leadership of Andrei Nikolaevich, more than fifty original aircraft and about a hundred different modifications were created. His aircraft set more than a hundred world records for range, flight speed and payload. The main line of Tupolev's work was heavy aircraft with a high payload. In 1958, under his leadership, a unique passenger aircraft Tu-114 was created, which was far ahead of its time. The reliable ultra-long-range airbus has won long-haul lines for many years, having no analogues in terms of economic efficiency. Tu-114 worked on international lines, flying across the ocean to Cuba and America. During the years of operation, thirty-two world records have been set by aircraft of this series and there are no data in the flight accident column. And the supersonic passenger liner Tu-144, which appeared in 1968, became famous not only in the USSR, but throughout the world.

Tu-114

Tupolev, soberly assessing the importance of money, always stated: “The creation of a small aircraft requires little money and a lot of work. A big plane means a lot of work, and a lot of money, too.”

Andrei Nikolaevich was a well-known statesman and public figure - a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Moscow City Council, a member of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. His speeches were always distinguished by emotionality and breadth of judgments, they expressed hopes for a brighter future for mankind. Tupolev was three times Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of many State Prizes, holder of numerous orders and medals. What is especially curious is the famous scientist was awarded the Leonardo da Vinci Prize and the gold medal of the society of the founders of aviation in France. He was elected an honorary member of the Royal Society of Aeronautics of Great Britain and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

According to eyewitnesses, Tupolev had an almost supernatural ability to accurately guess the place where the aircraft took off from the ground during acceleration and the place where the aircraft would end its run after landing. Tupolev showed such a gift more than once or twice, even in unusual situations like taking off an extremely overloaded aircraft.

As a talented scientist and designer, head of a huge team of many thousands of engineers, technologists, test pilots, technicians and workers, Andrey Nikolayevich always remained a very simple and friendly person, adored his family, nature, company of friends, delicious food. In everyday life, Tupolev was extremely conservative, preferring to wear old but comfortable jackets, trousers, and shoes. It was very difficult to get him to buy a new thing. Andrei Tupolev met his wife while still a student and all his life he loved only her. Yulia Nikolaevna accompanied him wherever possible: on business trips abroad, at scientific conferences, solemn and friendly open receptions. Often in a large company, she was the only woman. Knowing foreign languages ​​well, Yulia Nikolaevna helped Tupolev in negotiations with foreigners.

It is known that Andrei Nikolayevich involved his wife in the design of the passenger compartments of the Tu-70 and Tu-104 aircraft. Yulia Nikolaevna enthusiastically chose the colors of the material for the salon and armchairs, the equipment of the interior and kitchen, being a supporter of the Russian traditional style. It is safe to say that she was one of the first designers of the OKB.

Andrei Tupolev loved to travel. As part of official delegations and on business trips, he visited many countries, where he studied not only science and technology, but also nature, people, and local customs. On vacation, he preferred to hunt, fish, play volleyball. I was especially happy when I managed to go with my family and closest friends to nature, sit by the fire, cook fish soup. He went to the theater and cinema, listened to music, but due to being busy, and in recent years due to illness, he could not devote much time to this. But regularly, before going to bed, I read works of art. In his home library, in addition to numerous technical books and magazines, books by A.S. Pushkin, L.N. Tolstoy, A.T. Tvardovsky, D. Galsworthy, Plutarch. Tupolev remembered many poems and quoted them from time to time. In general, his speech was distinguished by brevity and capacity, many phrases became aphorisms.

Andrei Nikolaevich had one habit. He always brought home something tasty from guests or from an official reception: a cake, an apple, a pie. Many colleagues, knowing this, specially wrapped Tupolev treats "for the house."

When grandchildren appeared - first Yulia, and later Andryusha and Tanya - Andrei Nikolaevich began to spend all his free time with them. Tupolev often picked up carpentry tools and carved wooden toys for his grandchildren.

Unfortunately, Yulia Nikolaevna was in poor health, and in the post-war years, Andrei Nikolaevich was accompanied by his daughter, Yulia Andreevna, on numerous trips. After the death of his wife in 1962, Tupolev lost weight, became more withdrawn and thoughtful, but did not work less. His daughter was at home with him most of the time. Tupolev held her medical expertise in high regard, not taking any medication or medical procedure without her daughter's approval.

Andrei Nikolaevich maintained friendly relations with I.V. Kurchatov, A.P. Vinogradov, A.T. Tvardovsky, M.V. Keldysh, P.L. Kapitsa and many other prominent people of that time. S.P. often came to talk to him. Korolev, who later said that he studied the style of work with Andrei Nikolaevich. Under the guidance of Tupolev, Korolev made his graduation project, and also worked a little in his assembly shop.

Until the last days of his life, Tupolev retained a firm memory and a clear mind, was interested in everything and participated in the most important affairs of his Design Bureau. Talking in the MGTS hospital on December 22, 1972, with his son and daughter who visited him, eighty-four-year-old Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev laughed and joked, made plans for a trip to the Crimea. When they left late in the evening, he fell asleep and did not wake up again.

In 1911, Tupolev was expelled from the school for participating in student unrest and sent home for two years under police supervision.

In 1916-1918, he participated in the work of the first aviation settlement bureau in Russia; designed the first wind tunnels at the school.

In 1918, Tupolev graduated with honors from the Moscow Higher Technical School and, together with Zhukovsky, became the organizer and one of the leaders of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). In 1918-1936 he was a member of the TsAGI collegium.

Since 1922 - Chairman of the Commission for the construction of metal aircraft at TsAGI. Since that time, an experimental design bureau (OKB), formed and headed by him, began to operate in the TsAGI system, whose activities were associated with the development of heavy land, sea combat and civil aircraft, torpedo boats and snowmobiles. Tupolev was the chief designer of this design bureau.

In 1922-1936, Andrey Tupolev was one of the founders of the TsAGI scientific and technical base, the developer of projects for a number of laboratories, wind tunnels, an experimental hydraulic channel, and the country's first pilot plant for the construction of all-metal aircraft. He was the organizer of the production of aluminum alloy - chain-aluminum, semi-finished products from it.

In 1923, he created his first light aircraft of mixed design (ANT-1), in 1924 - the first Soviet all-metal aircraft (ANT-2), in 1925 - the first combat all-metal aircraft (ANT-3), which was built in series, as well as the first all-metal monoplane bomber (ANT-4, 1925).

Andrei Tupolev developed and put into practice the technology of large-scale production of light and heavy metal aircraft. Under his leadership, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, fighters, passenger, transport, sea, special record-breaking aircraft, as well as snowmobiles, torpedo boats, gondolas, power plants and the plumage of the first Soviet airships were designed.

Since 1930, he was the chief designer of TsAGI. Since 1931 - Deputy Head of the Central Design Bureau of TsAGI, since 1932 - Head of the Design Department of the TsAGI Experimental Construction Sector, since 1933 - Deputy Head of TsAGI for the Experimental Construction Sector.

Since 1936, Andrey Tupolev combined the leadership of the design bureau, separated from the TsAGI system, with the position of chief engineer of the Main Directorate of the Aviation Industry of the People's Commissariat for Heavy Industry (NKTP), formed the strategic direction for the development of Soviet aviation, science and technology.

October 21, 1937 Tupolev was unreasonably accused of sabotage and espionage and arrested. On May 28, 1940, he was sentenced to 15 years in a forced labor camp.

While imprisoned, he worked at TsKB-29 ("Special Technical Bureau of the NKVD of the USSR"), later called "Tupolev Sharaga". Here Tupolev created the front-line bomber "103" (Tu-2).

On July 19, 1941, he was released ahead of schedule from further serving his sentence with the removal of a criminal record. He was rehabilitated by the decision of the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR of April 9, 1955.

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Tupolev was evacuated to the city of Omsk and was appointed chief designer of aircraft plant No. 166.

In 1943, he returned to Moscow and was appointed chief designer and responsible head of the aircraft plant No. 156, where the main base of the design bureau (OKB) A.N. Tupolev.

In 1956, Andrei Tupolev was appointed General Designer of the USSR aviation industry.

Andrei Tupolev developed over 100 types of aircraft, 70 of which were mass-produced. His aircraft set 78 world records, performed 28 unique flights, including the rescue of the crew of the Chelyuskin steamer on ANT-4, non-stop flights to the United States over the North Pole by the crews of Valery Chkalov and Mikhail Gromov on ANT-25, the landing of the scientific expedition Severny pole" headed by Ivan Papanin.

A large number of bombers, torpedo bombers, reconnaissance aircraft designed by Tupolev (TV-1, TV-3, SB, TV-7, MTB-2, TU-2) and torpedo boats G-4, G-5 were used in combat operations in the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1945.

In the post-war years, among the military and civil aircraft developed under the leadership of Tupolev are the Tu-4 strategic bomber, the first Soviet jet bomber Tu-12, the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber, the Tu-16 long-range bomber bomber, and the Tu-22 supersonic bomber; the first Tu-104 jet passenger aircraft (based on the Tu-16 bomber), the first Tu-114 turboprop intercontinental passenger airliner, Tu-124, Tu-134, Tu-154 short and medium-haul aircraft, as well as the Tu-144 supersonic passenger aircraft ( together with Alexei Tupolev).

Tupolev's planes became the backbone of Aeroflot's aircraft fleet and were operated in dozens of countries.

Andrei Tupolev had the military rank of colonel general of the engineering service, was elected a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1953), an honorary member of the Royal Society of Aeronautics of Great Britain (1970) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1971); he was awarded a prize and a gold medal named after N. E. Zhukovsky, the Lenin Prize (1957), five State Prizes of the USSR (1943, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1972), the highest award of the International Aviation and Sports Federation (FAI). He was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor three times (1945, 1957, 1972). OKB A. N. Tupolev - JSC "Tupolev", part of the JSC "United Aircraft Corporation", Kazan Technical University, an island in the Ob Bay of the Kara Sea.

An embankment in Moscow, streets in Kiev (Ukraine), Ulyanovsk, Kimry, Zhukovsky and other cities are named after Andrey Tupolev. Memorial plaques have been installed on the buildings in Moscow and Omsk where Andrei Tupolev worked.

In the city of Kimry, Tver region, a bronze bust of Tupolev was installed. In 2005, a memorial composition was opened on the site of the Tupolevs' estate in Pustomazovo and a memorial stone was erected.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

A. N. Tupolev is a famous Russian aircraft designer, academician, three times Hero of Socialist Labor.

early years

A. N. Tupolev was born in a remote province on 10/29/1888 in the village. Pustomazovo, Tver province. The head of the family was a notary, a poor man, but his son still studied at the gymnasium and showed great abilities in mathematics, physics and technology. In 1908, Tupolev began to study at the Imperial Moscow Technical School, where he discovered a serious interest in aerodynamics. This passion led him to an aeronautical circle, work in which provided additional knowledge and design skills.

Participating in the construction of a glider, he dreamed of flying. And the dream came true: it was on it that he first made his first solo flight (1910). In 1911, his studies were interrupted: he was arrested and sent home from Moscow under police supervision for reading and popularizing illegal literature and participating in student unrest. Before he was allowed to return to the school. He graduated from his studies in 1918 with excellent success.

Start of professional activity

Even at the school, Andrei realized that his vocation was aircraft construction. He actively worked in the first Russian aviation settlement bureau, was engaged in the design of the first wind tunnels. N. E. Zhukovsky and A. N. Tupolev were the organizers and leaders of TsAGI (Central Aerohydronomic Institute), where Tupolev's professional orientation for life was finally determined.

From 1918 to 1936, he purposefully engaged in experiments on all-metal aircraft construction. As a result of experiments and scientific research, he proved that for aircraft construction, instead of fragile wood and heavy iron, chain-aluminum should be used (as duralumin was then called - a light and strong metal produced by the Kolchuginsky plant in the Vladimir region).

Arrest

In October 1937, Tupolev was arrested on charges of sabotage and participation in counterrevolutionary activities. Then a large group of leading experts in aircraft construction and directors of aircraft factories was arrested. At the end of May 1940, a sentence was passed: 15 years in labor camps.

The accusation was absurd: the creation of a wrecking organization that was engaged in the transfer of aircraft blueprints to foreign intelligence. Air Chief Marshal A.E. Golovanov testified that in a conversation with him, I.V. Stalin claimed that he appreciated Tupolev's engineering talent and did not believe in his guilt. But the NKVD investigator Gabitov based the accusation on facts that had nothing to do with Tupolev and his case. People's Commissar S. Ordzhonikidze worked for him.

Given the relationship between Stalin and Ordzhonikidze, Andrei Nikolaevich, who was under investigation, continued to work, was appointed chief engineer and first deputy of the Main Directorate of the NKOP. In the same year (1936), a delegation led by Tupolev and Kharlamov was sent to the United States to purchase equipment and licenses for the aviation industry.

IN USA

On the way to the US, the delegation visited France, where they got acquainted with the products of the local aviation industry. Tupolev, thanks to his knowledge of French, was able to agree on the purchase of aircraft engines there. In the US, the work with orders was not so smooth. The fact is that back in the 1920s, the Soviet government created a trading company (AMTORG), through which orders were placed at several American factories, so the aircraft designer had to place this order through this company.

But after meeting and negotiating with A. N. Prokofiev-Seversky (an American designer from Russian emigrants), Tupolev found it profitable to place orders not through AMTORG, but according to the principle of economic calculation, and did this at his own discretion. On this occasion, a scandal arose with a member of the delegation, brigade commander P. I. Grokhovsky. With great difficulty it was possible to pay it off. As a result of the deal, the delegation purchased licenses for the production of several types of aircraft in the USSR (PBY Consolidator, Valti - IA, Seversky's 2PA fighter).

These aircraft were then produced in the USSR in limited quantities due to the complexity of their production or due to non-compliance with accepted strength standards. And with the support and initiative of V. M. Petlyakov, an aircraft designer who was also part of the delegation, they managed to obtain a license for an aircraft manufactured by Douglas DC - 3.

Rehabilitation

During the years of imprisonment, Andrei Nikolayevich worked in the design bureau of the NKVD, a closed institution called TsKB-29, or "Tupolev Sharaga". In the summer of 1941, he was released early and even his criminal record was expunged. A complete rehabilitation took place in April 1955.

Tupolev aircraft

Tupolev made an invaluable contribution to the history of Russian aircraft construction. In 1925, he created one of the best, at that time, aircraft in the world - an all-metal two-meter bomber TB - 1, which has high flight performance. In 1932, he released an improved model of the TB-3 aircraft, on which in 1937 the Russian expedition landed at the North Pole.

In the same 1932, the brigade of P. O. Sukhoi, led by Tupolev, designed the ANT - 25. In 1934, he led the creation of the Maxim Gorky multi-engine aircraft, which has eight engines, 100 square meters. m. of usable area and a passenger capacity of about 60 people. After the war, the Tupolev Design Bureau designed and produced a new jet bomber TU - 16, developing a speed of 1000 km / h, as well as the first Russian civil aviation jet aircraft TU - 104.

In 1957, the first flight of the turboprop intercontinental passenger aircraft TU - 114 developed by Tupolev took place, and later - the most elegant Tupolev aircraft - TU - 144. Andrei Nikolaevich died on 12/23/1972 in Moscow. The grave is located at the Novodevichy cemetery.