Tupolev TU-144 Charger Aeroflot Solid Mahogany Wood Handcrafted Display Model for Sale

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Tupolev TU-144 Charger Aeroflot Solid Mahogany Wood Handcrafted Display Model For Sale

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Tupolev TU-144 Charger Aeroflot Solid Mahogany Wood Handcrafted Display Model:
$269.50

"You never really own a PlaneArts model - you merely look after it for the next generation"

Dimensions of the model are:

LENGTH: 17.00 INCHES (43.20 CM), WINGSPAN: 7.50 INCHES (19.10 CM), SCALE: 1:152

This model replica is painstakingly hand carved and then hand painted out of solid kiln dried mahogany wood (from renewable sources) by our highly experienced and talented craftsmen at our Filipino owned factory near the original Clark Air Base in Pampanga and takes about 8-10 weeks to manufacture.

It is our aim to continue to be a "sustainable" manufacturer avoiding the use of man-made materials wherever possible such as plastics, resins or metal in an attempt to reduce our Carbon Footprint and to protect our environment for generations to come. Our models are "works of art" and not to be confused with mass made plastic kits or diecastlook–alikewhere almost all of these are Chinese manufactured. We are proud Filipino's exporting to all parts of the globe and creating employment opportunities in an impoverished part of our country.

Production in our factory is supervised by our own resident British Pilot who ensures that exact blueprints are used for these meticulously detailed scale models - custom manufactured and precisely engineered to your exact specifications and that will be cherished by all. To watch a video of the PlaneArts model making production process please click on the image below to start the video which will open in a separate page in your browser (the tab on in your browser for this page will still stay open so you can go back to the listing)

Planearts Manufacturing Process

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The fully assembled model comes with a stained solid mahogany (or mahogany with steel arm) stand and is ready to display on your desk, bookcase or wherever you desire. The photographs you see have not been manipulated or digitally edited - they are exactly as the model looks in real life, but unfortunately even digital photography cannot do full justice to the look and feel of the model once you receive it!

PlaneArts have been producing models for over 20 years which are honed to perfection by the dexterity of our Skilled Master Craftsmen and carefully checked at all stages of manufacture by our dedicated Quality Assurance Team. We promote internationally on to ensure our products get the best exposure worldwide. Due to a high level of demand and the huge diversity of aircraft types and liveries most models are made to order and take about 8-10 weeks to produce (excluding National and Public Holidays). You will also notice that we offer models often way below the price of other companies advertising on the . We are able do this because of the direct manufacturing and selling basis of our business - models direct from the factory and not from an intermediary or trading / marketing company. All models are shipped internationally through FedEx, UPS or DHL Express Courier (Door to Door worldwide within about 3 business days). Fully traceable and insured against damage or loss).

Apart from those models you see in our store - using your photos or images, we will make you a personalized replica model of your aircraft with your own individual paint scheme, logos, registration number, antennas and all the details that make your airplane special. You can even upgrade and personalize your model with a fully customized transparent interior to match your seats, colors, instrument panel and all other important interior details. Alternatively, we can copy any current or historic commercial or military airplane or helicopter that has ever flown just by giving us images or photos. Each meticulously detailed scale model is custom manufactured and precisely engineered to your exact specifications. We will build you a model that will not only meet your expectations but will go far beyond and with detail that will amaze you!

If you do not see the model you require in our store please message us on with a description and images of what you require including the size or scale of the desired model and we will then do a dedicated listing for you on . Our Customer Service Team will then help you with questions you may have and upon request update you on the status of your order. Our Production Team will work with you personally during construction until your model is ready to taxi on its journey to your own door in its foam fitted heavy duty export packaging. Before dispatch we will send you photographs from all different angles to review and approve prior to the model leaving. This is done to make sure that neither we, nor you, missed any important details.

To watch a video of the professional protective packing of PlaneArts models destined for all parts of the globe, please also click on the image below to start the video which will open in a separate page in your browser (the tab on in your browser for this page will still stay open so you can go back to the listing)

Packing Process

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The Tupolev TU-144 Charger: Aeroflot’s Supersonic Dream

The Tupolev TU-144 Charger represents a significant chapter in the history of aviation as the world’s first commercial supersonic transport aircraft. Developed by the Soviet Union, it was a direct competitor to the British-French Concorde and aimed to showcase Soviet ingenuity and technological prowess during the Cold War era.

Origins and Development:

The TU-144 project was initiated in the early 1960s, with the Soviet government keen on matching or surpassing the West in the realm of high-speed air travel. The aircraft was designed by Tupolev, a prominent Soviet aerospace and defense company, led by the legendary aircraft designer Alexei Tupolev. The TU-144 made its maiden flight on December 31, 1968, two months before the Concorde, earning it the title of the world’s first operational supersonic aircraft.

Design and Features:

Resembling the Concorde in its sleek, needle-nosed appearance, the TU-144 was larger and could carry more passengers, with a capacity of up to 140 compared to Concorde’s 92-128. It featured a distinctive double-delta wing and was powered by four turbojet engines equipped with afterburners for supersonic flight. Unique to the TU-144 was its retractable canard design—small forewings near the nose of the aircraft used for improving lift at low speeds.

Commercial Service and Challenges:

Aeroflot, the state airline of the Soviet Union, commenced passenger service with the TU-144 on November 1, 1977, flying domestic routes between Moscow and Alma-Ata (now Almaty, Kazakhstan). However, the aircraft’s commercial career was marred by reliability issues and operational challenges, including high fuel consumption and noise levels, which limited its appeal and practicality.

The most significant setback occurred during the 1973 Paris Air Show, where a TU-144 crashed during a demonstration flight, killing all six crew members and eight people on the ground. This incident profoundly impacted the program’s reputation and led to intense scrutiny and revisions of the aircraft’s design and operational protocols.

Withdrawal and Legacy:

Despite improvements, commercial operations remained limited and the TU-144 was withdrawn from passenger service in 1983 after only 55 scheduled flights. It briefly continued to serve as a cargo plane and later as a research platform for supersonic flight studies, in collaboration with NASA, until its final flight in 1999.

The TU-144’s story is one of ambition and tragedy, emblematic of the era’s technological race and political tensions. While it failed to achieve the commercial success of its Western counterpart, the Concorde, the TU-144 remains a significant symbol of the Soviet Union’s advanced engineering capabilities and its determination to excel in the global aerospace arena. Today, several TU-144s are preserved in museums, serving as a testament to a bold but ultimately elusive venture into supersonic commercial aviation.