TU 4

[Dr Jekyll]

I've been trying to find out how long China used the TU4 for. All the internet sources seem to quote each other, either saying they were retired in 1965 (seems a bit early) or that there maybe 15 still flying (seems ludicrous). There is at least one book I've seen that says China re-engined a number with turboprops in the mid seventies.

Does anyone have any more information?

[MReyn24050]

Dr Jekyll

Apparently between 100 and 200 Soviet Tu-4s were transferred to the Chinese by Russia in late 1950s/early 1960s after the Tu-16 came into service. It is reported that there are two examples still surviving in the China Aviation Museum at Datangahan - one of which is the AEW version. In the link below one can see both of these aircraft. The aircraft in the foreground is 4114 S/N 2806501 and behind it is 4134 S/N 225008 both are fitted with 4000hp Ivchenko AI-20K turboprops engines.
http://p.airliners.net/photos/middle/0/0/0/0993000.jpg

[paulc]

according to notice by the AWACS Tu4 at Datangshan it was retired in 1981!
Both examples still there October 2005 (pics in museum thread on Nostalgia/Historic forum)

[Dan Winterland]

Originally Posted by paulc

according to notice by the AWACS Tu4 at Datangshan it was retired in 1981!

It's not that improbable. You have to remember that the RAF's frontline AEW aircraft up to 1991 was the Shackleton!

[WHBM]

There's a Soviet one in Monino museum at Moscow as well. This link describing it says 1968 was the last date for the Chinese ones.

http://www.moninoaviation.com/39a.html