Realising that the export potential for the Tupolev Tu-104 was limited, the Council of Ministers issued directive No. 1511–846 on 12 August 1956, requiring the Tupolev Design Bureau to develop a four-engined version of the Tu-104, to enable the aircraft to safely cross large expanses of ocean, and improve safety on takeoff in case of engine failure. The Tu-110 was a major redesign of the Tu-104, powered by four Lyulka AL-7 turbojets rated at 5,500 kgf thrust each, with two staggered engines in the root of each extended centresection. The first prototype was flown on 11 March 1957. Production of the Tu-110 was authorised at the Kazan Aircraft Factory, with an initial order for ten aircraft, but only three aircraft were completed before the programme was terminated. The production aircraft featured extended-chord wings and enlarged baggage holds, as well as seating for up to 100 passengers in an all-tourist class seating arrangement. All four aircraft were converted to Tu-110Bs with Soloviev D-20turbofan engines, in an attempt to improve the performance of the aircraft, but to no avail. No further orders were forthcoming and the four Tu-110B's were used for experimental work on avionics, missile systems and boundary layer control systems, remaining active into the 1970s.
Variants
Data from Tupolev Tu-104
Tu-110 – The sole prototype of the Tu-110.
Tu-110A – Production aircraft with doubled seating capacity, increased capacity baggage holds, increased area flaps and increased MTOW of 87,200 kg. Three aircraft were built
Tu-110B – Experimental medium-haul versions converted from the prototype and three production aircraft, fitted with four Soloviev D-20 turbofan engines.
Tu-110L – The prototype aircraft modified with boundary layer control supplied with bleed air from the D-20 turbofan engines.
Tu-110D – A projected medium-haul airliner with four D-20 engines in paired nacelles on either side of the rear fuselage,
Tu-117 – A projected military transport version with a rear fuselage loading ramp and defensive tail turret.
