| Aircraft Number 01-1 | |
| Current Registration | CCCP-77101 |
| Production Model | Tu-144S “004” 1st Pre-production Aircraft. |
| Maiden Flight | 1st June 1971 : Zhukovsky, USSR. |
| Registration History | Registered CCCP-77101 to Tupolev Design Bureau. |
| Total Flights | 231 flights. |
| Supersonic Flights | 41 flights. |
| Total Flight Hours | 339 hours. |
| Supersonic Flight Hours | 56 hours. |
| Current Usage | Scrapped. |
| Notes |
After the success achieved with the prototype as the first supersonic airliner in the air, it was necessary to improve the design to correct some problems detected and to overcome the 3,500 km range in supersonic flight. To optimize the aerodynamics of the aircraft in supersonic mode, the wing was deeply modified and its surface increased. The length of the fuselage was also increased to transport 150 passengers and the engines replaced by the improved NK-144A model. One of the most important changes was the new configuration of the engines in two different and separate nozzles with two engines and their own air intakes each. This option solved the problems of vibrations and high temperatures in the lower part of the fuselage. A new and original retraction system of the main landing gear was developed because it was now located between the two engines. Another important change was that two stabilizers (canards) were added to the front of the fuselage to provide stability on landing and takeoff. With all these changes the takeoff weight increased to 190 tons. CCCP-77101 was the last aircraft produced at the MMZ “Opyt” plant and assembled in Zhukovsky, and the first of the Tu-144S model. In April 1973 it was used as the setting for a press conference. |
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Main fuselage of aircraft 01-1 at the MMZ “Opyt” plant near Moscow. Copyright PJSC «Tupolev»-1968. |
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First Tu-144S model during the assembly process at Zhukovsky facilities. |
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Roll-out of the first pre-production aircraft at Zhukovsky air base with a unique livery. |  |
CCCP-77101 register can be clearly seen at the end of the red stripe on this very special picture, probably her first flight. |
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Parked on the ramp between the prototype and aircraft CCCP-77102. |  |
1st pre-production aircraft during the retraction of the landing gear after the take-off. |
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On display in the Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport during an airshow in December 1973. |  |
Aircraft 01-1 in her presentation at Kiev-Borispol Airport on September 5, 1974. |
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A view of aircraft 01-1 during a low speed test flight. |  |
Landing in 1975 in Olenegorsk Airport, Murmansk region, for tests in snowed environment. |
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