This is coolbert:
Continuing with extracts and my commentary from an article as originally seen at the Hush-Kit Internet web site.
"The 11 worst Soviet aircraft"
2. Tu-22 Blinder. NOT to be confused with the Tu-22M3 Backfire.
"The Tu-22 medium bomber [supersonic], first flown in 1962, was a dangerous hot rod with a litany of design flaws. Its VD-7M engines were unreliable and caused a spate of lethal accidents. The aircraft was also very hard to handle, according to one pilot '..two flights with no autopilot drained all strength'. Tu-22 pilots had to be physically strong and keep both hands on the control yoke at all times. The landing speed was perhaps the worst of any operational aircraft: it was forbidden for pilots to go under 180 mph. The ejection seats ejected downward, a sobering prospect for low-level escapes. Pre-flight preparations took at least 3 hours, and other common procedures required 24 hours of maintenance. The high-mounted engines were exceptionally inconvenient for maintenance crew to reach. Its abysmal visibility from the cockpit resulted in one of its nicknames – Blind John"
Bark far worse than the bite? You the devoted reader to the blog decide for yourself!
coolbert.
Continuing with extracts and my commentary from an article as originally seen at the Hush-Kit Internet web site.
"The 11 worst Soviet aircraft"
2. Tu-22 Blinder. NOT to be confused with the Tu-22M3 Backfire.
"The Tu-22 medium bomber [supersonic], first flown in 1962, was a dangerous hot rod with a litany of design flaws. Its VD-7M engines were unreliable and caused a spate of lethal accidents. The aircraft was also very hard to handle, according to one pilot '..two flights with no autopilot drained all strength'. Tu-22 pilots had to be physically strong and keep both hands on the control yoke at all times. The landing speed was perhaps the worst of any operational aircraft: it was forbidden for pilots to go under 180 mph. The ejection seats ejected downward, a sobering prospect for low-level escapes. Pre-flight preparations took at least 3 hours, and other common procedures required 24 hours of maintenance. The high-mounted engines were exceptionally inconvenient for maintenance crew to reach. Its abysmal visibility from the cockpit resulted in one of its nicknames – Blind John"
Nice image of a Tu-22 Blinder in flight. Originally I had thought Blinder was being brought back into service, augmenting Russian long-range aviation assets. And even now dropping ordnance on Islamic State targets in Syria? I am incorrect! Is the Tu-22M3 Backfire restored to operational status. Backfire a considerably different warplane than Blinder?
Bark far worse than the bite? You the devoted reader to the blog decide for yourself!
coolbert.