Tupolev Tu-134

The Tupolev Tu-134 (NATO reporting name: Crusty) is a twin-engined, narrow-body jet airliner built in the Soviet Union for short and medium-haul routes from 1966 to 1989. The original version featured a glazed-nose design and, like certain other Russian airliners (including the Tu-154), it can operate from unpaved airfields.

One of the most widely used aircraft in former Comecon countries, the number in active service is decreasing because of operational safety concerns and noise restrictions. The model has seen long-term service with some 42 countries, with some European airlines having scheduled as many as 12 daily takeoffs and landings per plane. In addition to regular passenger service, it has also been used in various air force, army and navy support roles; for pilot and navigator training; and for aviation research and test projects. In recent years, a number of Tu-134s have been converted for use as VIP transports and business jets. A total of 854 Tu-134s were built of all versions (including test bed examples) with Aeroflot as the largest user by 1995, the Tu-134 had carried 360 million passengers for that airline.

Design and development

Following the introduction of engines mounted on pylons on the rear fuselage by the French Sud Aviation Caravelle, airliner manufacturers around the world rushed to adopt the new layout. Its advantages included clean wing airflow without disruption by nacelles or pylons and decreased cabin noise. At the same time, placing heavy engines that far back created challenges with the location of the centre of gravity in relation to the centre of lift, which was at the wings. To make room for the engines, the tailplanes had to be relocated to the tail fin, which had to be stronger and therefore heavier, further compounding the tail-heavy arrangement.

Operational history

In September 1967, the Tu-134 made its first scheduled flight from Moscow to Adler. The Tu-134 was the first Soviet airliner to receive international certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization, which permitted it to be used on international routes. Due to this certification, Aeroflot used most of its Tu-134s on international routes. In 1968, the first export customers, Interflug of East Germany, LOT Polish Airlines and Malév Hungarian Airlines purchased the Tu-134. In 1969, the Tu-134 was displayed at the Paris Air Show.

From 1972, Aeroflot began placing the Tu-134 in domestic service to Baku, Yerevan, Kyiv, Kishinev, Krasnodar, Leningrad, Omsk, Riga, and Sochi from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow.

In its early years, the Tu-134 developed a reputation for reliability and efficiency, especially when compared with previous Soviet designs. After the establishment of tougher noise standards in the ICAO regulations in 2002, the Tu-134 was banned from most western European airports for its high noise levels. In early 2006, 245 Tu-134s were still in operation, 162 of which were in Russia. After a fatal accident in March 2007, and at the instigation of Russian Minister of Transportation Igor Levitin, Aeroflot announced that it would be retiring its fleet, and the last Tu-134 was removed from service on 1 January 2008. Some were still in operations with Aeroflot subsidiaries on local routes within Russia. The Tu-134 also found a new life as a business jet with many having an expensive business interior installed. High fuel and maintenance costs are increasingly limiting the number used today.

In June 2011, as a response to RusAir Flight 9605 which resulted in 47 fatalities, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ordered preparations for taking the Tu-134 out of use by 2012.

On 22 May 2019, the final passenger flight of the Tu-134 in Russia took place.

Many Tu-134s have been preserved as memorials at airports throughout the former Soviet Union. A former Malév Tu-134A (registration HA-LBE) is on display at the Aeropark at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Hungary.

Variants

Tu-124A The prototype Tu-134 (CCCP-45075) retained this slightly confusing designation. All subsequent aircraft are identified as Tu-134. Tu-134 The glass-nosed version. The first series could seat up to 64 passengers, and this was later increased to 72 passengers.

Tu-134A Second series, with upgraded engines, improved avionics, seating up to 84 passengers. All Tu-134A variants have been built with the distinctive glass nose and chin radar dome, but some were modified to the B standard with the radar moved to the nose radome. Tu-134A-2 Projected upgrade of the Tu-134A with D-30M engines and a fuselage stretch. Tu-134A-3 Second series, powered by two updated Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines. Tu-134A-5 Most recent version. Tu-134AK Operated by the Russian Air Force and Roscosmos. Tu-134B Second series, 80 seats, radar moved to the nose radome, eliminating the glazed nose. Some Tu-134B models have long-range fuel tanks fitted under the fuselage; these are visible as a sizable bulge. Tu-134B-2, Tu-1324B-2-3 Projected 100-seat version of Tu-134B with D-30 Series 2 or Series 3 engines. Tu-134B-3 Version of Tu-134B with D-30 Series 3 engines. Tu-134BV Space shuttle work model. Tu-134D Projected redesign of the Tu-134A with a new elliptical section fuselage, revised wings, a more powerful APU and other improvements. Development work took place from 1973 to 1976, but was cancelled in favor of the Yakovlev Yak-42. Tu-134G Projected 86-seat version of the Tu-134V. Tu-134LK Cosmonaut training version.

Tu-134M Projected modernized version of Tu-134B, powered by Progress D-436T1-134 engines. Tu-134S (Tu-134C) Projected convertible/cargo version based on Tu-134A. Tu-134UBL Tu-160 crew training version, with Tu-160 nose cone. Tu-134UBK Naval version of Tu-134UBL. Only one was ever built. Tu-134BSh Tu-22M crew trainer, fitted with a Tu-22M radar in the nose. Tu-134Sh-1 Crew trainer with bomb racks for heavy bomber crews Tu-134Sh-2 navigator trainer for tactical bomber crews Tu-134SKh Crop survey version. Tu-134V Projected upgrade of the Tu-134A with D-30M engines, radar in the nose and a three-man flight crew.

Current operators As of 2024, only a few Tupolev Tu-134s remain in civil passenger airline service worldwide:

Syrian Air Force

Ukrainian Air Force - 15th Transport Aviation Brigade "Aircraft Designer Oleg Antonov" located at Boryspil International Airport Ukrainian Air Guard - 2 aircraft in service

Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation Russian Air Force

Air Koryo operates 2 aircraft. They are the last commercial airline to operate the Tupolev 134.

Former operators

The following airlines, states and other entities at one point operated at least one Tu-134 aircraft:

Former civil operators

Former military operators

Accidents and incidents

Aircraft on display

Belarus Tu-134A, registration CCCP-65036 (cn 61033), is permanently preserved and displayed in a retro Aeroflot livery as a gate guard monument at the entrance of Minsk National Airport. The aircraft was previously operated by Aeroflot as CCCP-65149 and later by Belavia under the registration EW-65149, before being restored to its current display identity.

Bulgaria Tu-134A, registration LZ-TUT, formerly operated by Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, is preserved and on display at the Aviomuseum Burgas next to Burgas Airport.

Czech Republic Tu-134A, registration OK-HFC, formerly operated by ČSA Czechoslovak Airlines, is preserved at the Aerospace Research and Test Establishment (VZLÚ) in Prague-Letňany.

Estonia Tu-134A-3, registration ES-LTA, formerly operated by ELK Airways, is preserved and on display at the Estonian Aviation Museum near Tartu.

Germany

Tu-134A, registration CCCP-65745, formerly operated by Aeroflot, was used by the GDR Ministry for State Security for anti-terrorist training, and is now preserved at the Flugplatzmuseum Cottbus. Tu-134A, registration DDR-SCK, formerly operated by Interflug, is preserved and displayed at the Flugausstellung Hermeskeil. Tu-134A, registration DDR-SCL, formerly operated by Interflug, is preserved and displayed at the headquarters of HYDRO Systems KG in Biberach an der Riß. Tu-134, registration DDR-SCH, formerly operated by Interflug, is preserved at the Aviation Museum Finowfurt (Luftfahrtmuseum Finowfurt). Tu-134, registration HA-LBH, formerly operated by Malév Hungarian Airlines, is preserved and displayed mounted on pedestals at the Technik Museum Sinsheim.

Hungary Tu-134, registration HA-LBE, formerly operated by Malév Hungarian Airlines, is preserved and fully restored at the Aeropark aviation museum next to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

Moldova Tu-134A-3, registration CCCP-65036 (later ER-65036, c/n 48700), formerly operated by Aeroflot and Air Moldova, is preserved as a monument to Moldovan civil aviation personnel outside Chișinău International Airport.

Poland Tu-134A, registration SP-LHC, in the historical livery of LOT Polish Airlines, is preserved as a permanent exhibit at the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków. Tu-134A, registration DDR-SCZ, formerly operated by Interflug, was relocated from its previous display site in Merseburg to a new museum location in Kruszyn.

Russia Tu-134Sh, registration 76 Blue, a navigation trainer variant formerly operated by the Russian Air Force, is preserved and on display at the Long Range Aviation Museum within Engels Air Base. Tu-124A (prototype), registration CCCP-45075, the initial prototype of the Tu-134 series, is preserved as a monument at Moscow-Novogireyevo. Tu-134A-3, registration RA-65132, is mounted on a pedestal as an airport monument outside Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen. Tu-134B-3, registration RA-65693, is preserved and displayed at the Ulyanovsk Aircraft Museum. Tu-134, registration CCCP-65609, is preserved as an exhibit at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino. Tu-134UBL, registration RF-12037, a dedicated military trainer variant nicknamed the "Black Pearl", is preserved at the Tambov Long Range Aviation Museum.

Ukraine

Tu-134, registration CCCP-65601, is preserved on display at the Ukraine State Aviation Museum in Kyiv. Tu-134A, registration CCCP-65743, formerly operated by Aeroflot, is preserved at the Ukraine State Aviation Museum at Kyiv International Airport. Tu-134UBL, registration Blue 43, a military trainer variant featuring the distinct Tu-22M bomber radar/nose configuration, is preserved at the Ukraine State Aviation Museum in Kyiv.

Specifications (Tu-134A)

Tupolev Tu-134

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