We are back at the Engels air base in the Saratov region. This place has always a lot to show but this time we are going to concentrate on the two airplanes: Tu-95MS (a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform) and Tu-160 (a supersonic, variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber).

Tu-95MS

The first flight of its prototype 95-1 was performed in 1952. Alas, during the seveteenth flight the prototype crashed and out of eleven people aboard four died. But it didn’t stop the tests and soon the aircraft was put into service.

Tu-95MS – carrier of cruise missiles H-55 with a nuclear warhead.

“Vorkuta”

Continuing the tradition that was born in the end of the twenties – beginning of the thirties of the last century – some aircrafts are named after heroes of the Soviet Union, as Tu-160, or after Russian cities, as Tu-95MS.

Il-62 RA-86556. VIP board of the Polish leader Edward Gierek. It was named «Frederyk Chopin». Poland gave it for repair in 1980. Since 1988 it has been standing in Engels.

On the 30th of July, 2010, a new world record of non-stop flight was set – the bombers flew 30 thousand kilometres over the three oceans, having refuelled four times in the air.

Mi-26T

Carrying the parachute to the aft cabin.

Everything is allowed to be shot except the workplace.

Dashboard

This strangely looking floor between the chairs – an emergency evacuation hatch.

Tu-160 was designed in the 1980s.

The air forces of Russia currently have sixteen units of Tu-160.

Il-78M

This refueler can give 105,7 tons of fuel during a flight.

Tu-160 is often called “White Swan”. Although several civil and military transport aircraft are larger in overall dimensions, the Tu-160 is currently the world’s largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft, and largest variable-sweep aircraft built. In addition, the Tu-160 has the heaviest takeoff weight of any military aircraft besides transports.

Il-78M

NK-12 is very noisy.

Tu-160

Two inboard compartments can hold up to 40 tons of weapons including several types of missiles, glide bombs and other weapons. Max. take-off weight – 275 tons.

“Valery Chkalov”

Cruise missiles H-55 are intended for destroying stationary targets with predetermined coordinates, which are put into the memory of the missile before a flight of a bomber.

Landing

Putting the drag chute into the compartment.

These aircraft engines are ones of the largest and most powerful in the world.

“Vasily Senko”

Tu-134 “URAL”

Fueling

Engine NK-12 used for TU-95 is still the most powerful turboprop engine in the world.

Nobody is trying to create a more powerful engine, by the way.

Today they fly 2-3 times a week.

Partially disassembled Tu-95MS

Tu-160 over the Engels air base.

Tu-95MS over Red Square in Moscow on a Victory Day (May, 9th).

Compared to the 1990s now these vehicle train more. And this is how it should be: birds should fly.

via russos