Chinese TU4s

[Dr Jekyll]

How long did China keep using the TU4 for?

Wikipedia refers to them retiring the last of the bombers by 1988 (!) which I assume is a typo for 1968. But I believe a few were used for test work etc into the 1970s.

Does anyone know the full story?

[skytrain10]

According to Gordon/Komissarov's book Chinese Aircraft the TU-4's remained in service, in converted turboprop form, until the the 1980's although no specific year is mentioned. It goes on to say that at least 2 were converted, one to a drone launcher, the other to an AWACS testbed. Both such aircraft are on display at the PLAAF Museum. Hope this helps.

[Noyade]

Could be a load of Bull, but this was printed in 1994...

[Fareastdriver]

They do not throw aeroplanes away in a hurry. I was at a small Chinese airfield, albeit twelve years ago, where there were dozens of Chinese versions of Mig 17s and IL 28s.

[Noyade]

Bigger Bull Image

They do not throw aeroplanes away in a hurry

Or trucks? What vintage would they be?!

[Dan Winterland]

Such was the Soviets skill at reverse enginnering the captured B29 example, all Tu4s had a hole mistakenly drilled in the wrong place in one of the wings and a panel on the rear pressure bulkhead which was actually battle damage repair of a Japanese bullet hole which the aircraft they copied had.

[Fareastdriver]

Twelve years ago it was the standard bowser at PLAAF stations. Pretty II WW ish with a six cylinder side valve engine.

[skytrain10]

They do not throw aeroplanes away in a hurry

Whereas the TU-4 is without doubt outdated we should put it in perspective. Assuming the retirement date of 1988 date is correct, then the TU-4 saw a life of 41 years from its first flight in 1947, or 46 years if you include the B-29 (FF 1942). Compare that to the B-52 which first flew in 1952 and remains flying today, 60 years later. The surviving models are the B-52H's, much improved from the original, but that model first flew in 1960 and the last one was delivered in 1962. So even the newest B-52H has had a service life longer than the TU-4! Clearly there is no comparison in the capability of the aircraft but it just serves to remind us that the Chinese are not the only ones to make the most of what they have