OK, the post title is misleading - the airplanes are very different. But the Tu-95 serves the same role as the BUFF and has been in active service for as long. The propellers make it look like an anachronism, but an almost 70 year service history belies that.
Say what you will about the Soviets, they could make some good designs.
And, seriously, the two designs do look very similar.
ReplyDeleteAn example of parallel evolution, meaning that given the same parameters, two separated locations will come up with almost the same thing (like Australia has kangaroos, everyone else has antelope/deer thingies,) in action? Same range, sameish bomb load, sameish operating envelope?
Or... an example of, once again, the Soviets stealing the plans. Like the Buran (of which they got screwed by NASA and the CIA who fed them the wrong plans) or like the Tu-4, an exact copy, down to the flaws, of a captured B-29?
Those suckers are faster than they look... Just sayin...
ReplyDeleteI think they're the fastest prop driven aircraft in existence.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've heard from "reliable sources" that our sub guys can hear them while submerged.
Well that was fascinating. You can imagine today's Congress...
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