Tupelov Tu-22 `Blinder' Tu-22m `Backfire': Russia's Long Range Supersonic Bombers (Aerofax Series)

by Vladimir Rigmant, Yefim Gordon

Release Date: January, 1999

Edition: Paperback

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Should have been Beauty

For the aviation enthusiast the end of the Cold War was a time of mixed emotions, OK, the west had won, less threat of nuclear war, but so many neat projects died, planes scrapped etc. On the other hand we were suddenly able to find a lot more about those exotic shapes from behind the curtain.
This publication gives a typically Aerofax detail on two intriguing shapes, Samolet 105 Tu-22 Blinder (NATO reporting name was originally Beauty and most apt too, but was felt to be over complementary). Similar in timescale to Convair's amazing B-58 Hustler, the Tu-22 was always more of a tactical than a strategic system. The first half details the Tu-22's evolution from supersonic level bomber to missile launcher to recon / ecm platform. Fascinating aircraft, and the front view showes why the pilots nicknamed it the "Awl"
The second section traces how the swing wing Tu-22M arose as a 2nd generation Tu-22, and why the changes were made.
Many excellent detail shots for modellers, and the ESCI kits will be reissued sometime. This is all the reference you will need on these types (to date at least. Definative.