Tu104
The mention of the TU104 Braking Chutes in the Caravelle thread
caused a serious nostalgic attack.
I liked doing the TU104 turnrounds at Gatwick, the Cabin staff pressing soft drinks and pin on badges (USSR, Aeroflot) on us and Cockpit Crews taking photo's of themselves with the Ground girls. The Cabin with it's Orient Express feel, the Pressure bulkhead to the Cockpit. The Loading staff really didn't like them much, the near bomb bay type holds being high and difficult. BAA were always unimpressed when a chute was dropped (this was summer at Gatwick and the airport was quite busy, actually very busy).
The occasional note from the MOD telling them to stick to flight plan in future. The fact they would NOT let us do the Loadsheets and finding Loadsheets in the ships papers from the tech stop which showed a trim envelope so narrow and some weights which caused raised eyebrows (I never kept one, wish I had).
However the questions are when did:
Aeroflot stop using the TU104 internationally?
Aeroflot stop using the TU104?
Who was the last TU104 Operator (if not Aeroflot) and when
was the last one retired?
I cannot remember when the TU134 and TU154 took over completely, too much Harveys Ale over too many years but it is now causing me angst so any help appreciated
DIH