Su-33 Naval Flanker - Russian Aircraft Museum

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ANTONOV

The Antonov Design Bureau is situated in Kiev, now the capital of the Ukraine. Named after Oleg Antonov (born February 7th, 1906), the construction bureau became well known for its medium sized to large transport aircraft, most of them being turboprops. They are extensively used both with civil and military operators. Among these aircraft, some outstanding types have been developed, such as the world’s largest turboprop aircraft, the An-22 Antheus, or the six engined An-225 specially designed to carry Buran, the planed Sovjet Space Shuttle.

Except for the biplane An-2, all of Antonov’s aircraft have shoulder wings. This fact may be easily explained given the dual-use nature of most aircraft types developed by Antonov.

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TUPOLEV

Well known both for its commercial airliners and its long range tactical bombers, the Tupolev construction bureau has its base in Moscow Zhukovsky. It received its name from Andrey Tupolev (born November 10, 1888 near Tver, died December 23, 1972 in Moscow). The bureau stood in the center of aviation when it unveiled the Sovjet Union‘s first jet airliner, the Tu-104, during the Paris Air Show. Another milestone was the project of the Tu-144, the Sovjet Union‘s answer to the BAe Concorde Super Sonic Transport. Although the Tu-144 failed for various reasons, it earns the recognition of being to date one of only two super sonic airliners ever developed worldwide.

With a number of new airliners, such as the Tu-204/214 family already entering the market and the projected Tu-234 and Tu-334, that make use of Western know-how in key areas, Tupolev hopes to overcome the post-sovjet competitive shock of the industry.

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YAKOVLEV

During Sovjet times, the construction bureau headed by Alexander Yakovlev (born March 19, 1906) might has been the least known design bureau for commercial airliners, as it focussed mainly on light aircraft and short range jetliners that were used rarely on international flights to Western Europe. On the other hand, a small number of the Yak 40 could be exported to operators in Italy and Western Germany, a stunt that no other commercial airliner of the URSS ever managed to achieve to the present.

The Yakovlev construction Bureau might well be one of the most experienced construction bureaus of Russia, as it developed all kinds of aircraft over the years. Its products include single engined General Aviation aircraft used in basic training, fighter aircraft, helicopters, commercial airliners and military jet trainers.