The Tupolev Tu-14 (NATO reporting name 'Bosun') was a Soviet twin-turbojet light bomber designed as a competitor to the Ilyushin Il-28 'Beagle.'

History

Development of the aircraft, under the bureau designation Tu-81, began in 1947. The Il-28 was chosen over the Tupolev design for Frontal Aviation use, but Naval Aviation approved the design for limited production as the Tu-14 (light bomber), Tu-14T (torpedo bomber), and Tu-14R (reconnaissance). It entered service in 1949. About 200 were produced, all given the NATO reporting name 'Bosun.'

Operators

• Soviet Naval Aviation

Specifications (Tu-14)

See also

References

• Bill Gunston and Peter Gilchrist, Jet Bombers From The Messerchmitt Me-262 to the Stealth B-2