NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft are among the fastest propeller aircraft in the world. They serve as Russia's primary long range cruise missile carrier.
The aircraft was conceived in late 1940's. It was originally to be powered by piston engines rather than turboprops. However, as turboprop technology improved, they proved far superior and were found to be the best choice of engines overall.
The Tu-95 continues to operate in the Russian Air Force with more being built. It is expected to remain in service until at least 2020. Part of the reason for its longevity is an ability to be modified for different missions. These include the deployment of cruise missiles, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.
The aircraft utilizes both leading edge geometrical warping and aerodynamic warping to provide higher aerodynamic efficiency. It can carry nuclear, conventional, and guided bombs, mines and torpedoes. The defensive armament incorporates three turrets with paired AM-23 cannons, which can be radar aimed.
Advanced navigation equipment consists of long range radio navigation and instrument landing system, radio compass, astro compass, magnetic compass, and flight gyroscope, coupled with a bomb-sight autopilot and RPB- 4 bomb radio sight.
The first Tupolev Tu-95 Bear was converted to a maritime surveillance aircraft and re-designated the model M in 1962. The airplane had three sets of cameras located in the bomb bay which incorporated SAB (Luminous bomb) and FqtAB (photographic bomb) photography in addition to day and night cameras. It was equipped with an air refueling probe and a centralized ground refueling system.
The K-20 complex modernization order provided for the installation of upgraded equipment to the aircraft consisting of a RSB-70 command radio station, a RSIU-5 communication radio station, a R-832 ARK-11 radio compass, a RV-UM radio altimeter, a PV- 17 high altitude radio altimeter, a KS-6D directional system and navigation equipment. These improvements to the aircraft increased target detection range up to 410 miles (660 km).
Model K and KD aircraft were equipped with a meteorological radio station with a range of up to 260 miles (420 km). Their defensive equipment was modernized with PRS-4 "Krypton" radar replacing the tail gun turret radio sight.
The model KM was introduced equipped with upgraded radar, anti-radiation missiles, electronic counter measure systems, new missile launchers and two pylons with Tu-22M BD-45K launchers installed under each wing.
Model MC/MS aircraft received updated avionics. These incorporate modern Doppler drift and speed indicators, short and long range celestial and radio navigation systems, a satellite communication system and very powerful ECM equipment. When originally introduced it was said that the ECM equipment was so powerful that the most advanced Soviet interceptor aircraft of the time could not get a missile lock on it. It has a navigation system for formation flights, which was designed for "KD" versions.
Cruise missile carriers featured double slotted
flaps and spar box fuel tanks instead of bladder tanks. They are
equipped with more powerful Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops of 14,795 shp
(11,033 kW) each with reinforced generator drives. The engines have
increased reliability and a longer operational life.
Following additional upgrades, these are expected to comprise the majority of Russian bombers in operation over the next decade.
To date, Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft fly on attack and reconnaissance exercises throughout the world, often testing Western defenses. The encounters are generally friendly, with crews waiving at one another.
In 1988 India purchased a total of 10 ASW versions of the aircraft for their Navy.
Much has been written about the noise produced by the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft.
Although the propeller tips come close to supersonic speeds at its highest speed, cruising speeds keep the tips of the propellers well below speeds which will produce high noise levels.
If you look closely at photographs of the airplane, you can easily see that the propellers are turning at relatively low rpm's.
It is doubtful that a Tu-95 would fly at speeds high enough to produce supersonic propeller tip noises for any extended period of time. Such an aircraft has no sound deadening, so its crew would not be able to stand the noise.
There are a total of 64 Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft deployed as of this writing.
With its swept back wing and distinctive fuselage, the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear is an interesting RC Airplane for a person who likes large multi-engine aircraft.
Pictured above and immediately below is the Tupolev Tu-95 radio control airplane built by B. B. Webber. The RC Airplane is 18' 7" long, with a 21' 6" wing span and weighs 90 lbs. Engines for the radio control airplane are 4 x 1.82s with on-board starters. Plans are by Don Smith Plans.
Not pictured is the rc Tupolev Tu-95 Bear from Flying Scale Models plans. The RC Airplane has a wing span of 84". Recommended power are 4 x .40 engines.
The final three pictures on this page are of the RC Tupolev Tu-95 scratch built by George Maiorana. Wing span of the rc airplane is 108". Length is 111". Covering is in Flite-Metal and it weighs 32 lbs. The RC Airplane uses contra-rotating gear boxes, custom 4 blade props, 12 x10 front- 12 x 12 rear. Powering the radio control airplane are 1P5S 4800ma 1S5P lipo packs from FMA Direct, and MaxCim motors geared 3.5:1. The RC Airplane is guided with a Futaba 2.4 14MZ radio system.
George writes: "We finally got the electric Tu-95 radio control airplane on 8-8-08. The RC Airplane flies great! Four flights of the Tu-95 radio control airplane were flown. See the video of the second flight of the RC Airplane at:
We received this email from Bruno Alba (bruno_alba@hotmail.com):
I acquired used plans for a 1/10 scale rc Tu-95, but they seem to be missing the stabilizer page. I think that it is sheet #3. Does anyone know how many plan sheets there are supposed to be?
Also I would appreciate any information about building the rc Tu-95 including suggestions for engines, incidences, etc.
If anyone out there can help Bruno, please respond directly to him.
Joćo Goes wrote to us and is asking for any information you can provide about building a rc Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, whether plan, kit or an ARF. You can email him information on the Tu-95 at jvgoes@hotmail.com.
If you have built a rc Tupolev Tu-95 Bear, please let us know about it.
Tupolev Tu-95 Bear
