Why The Soviets Had A Bomber That Looked Like A B-29

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-4 bomber had its first flight on May 19, 1947. It was a near-exact replica of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the most advanced bomber of its time. During World War II, three B-29s crash-landed in the USSR, and the Americans assumed the Soviets had only repaired and repainted them. They couldn’t believe the USSR had copied such a complex aircraft.

A Replica?

In reality, the Soviets had done exactly that. Stalin ordered the Tupolev Design Bureau to reverse-engineer the B-29, creating a version easier for Soviet engineers to produce. The final Tu-4 was just 1% heavier than the original B-29, with Boeing’s imperial measurements converted to metric.

By 1947, the Tu-4 was flying over Soviet skies, undetected by American intelligence. Every design change required Stalin’s approval. The plane was powered by four Shvetsov ASh-73 18-cylinder radial engines, similar to the B-29’s Wright 3350 Duplex Cyclone. Like its American counterpart, the Tu-4 had a range of defensive armaments, including cannons and machine guns.

Improving The B-29?

Some issues were addressed in the design, like the thickness of the aluminum skin. While the B-29 used 1/16-inch skin, the Tu-4 required adjustments, using a thickness that varied between 0.8 and 1.8 millimeters. However, the Tu-4 still inherited some flaws, including engine problems and landing gear issues.

Although 850 Tu-4s were produced, they never saw combat and were replaced by jet aircraft by the 1960s. The Tu-4 served in various air forces and was retired by 1988. Today, the last remaining Tu-4 is displayed at the Monino Air Force Museum near Moscow.