Tupolev Tu-104

The Tupolev Tu-104 was the first jet-powered passenger aircraft in regular service, and the second jet-powered passenger aircraft in the world; the Tu-104 shocked western observers when it arrived in London in 1956 for an official state visit.

Based on the Tu-16 jet bomber, it kept the same long landing gear but used a wider fuselage seating 50 passengers (increased to 100 on the B and V models). The bomber's glazed nose was retained - it was a useful feature as at the time the Soviet Union had few electronic navigational aids, making a visual navigator useful.

Because of the fatigue problems of the Comet the Tu-104 was for a few years the only jet aircraft in active service in the world.

A 4-engined variant, the Tu-110 was rejected by Aeroflot.