Soviet Nuclear Supersonic - Tu-22

On July 9, 1961, thousands of Russian citizens gathered at the Tushino airfield on the outskirts of Moscow to celebrate Aviation Day, an official Soviet military holiday celebrating the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Along with top Soviet military officials, a few Western representatives stood in attendance after accepting an invitation from Russia to observe their newest aircraft developments.

As the show proceeded, ten models of a new, strangely shaped aircraft flew above them. The Westerners could not believe it. With performance similar to America's Convair B-58 Hustler, this was Russia's first bomber capable of supersonic flight.

Soon, the startled NATO members relaid their information to their headquarters and even nicknamed the mysterious tube-shaped supersonic bomber.

Its first nickname, Bullshot, was too inappropriate. The second one, Beauty, was too complimentary, especially for the Soviet Union. Finally, the third one, Blinder, stuck for years to come, even more than the aircraft itself.

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[Del_S]

"Bullshot"
"Hmm, too rude."
"Beauty."
"Hmm, too good."
"Blinder."
"I can't see a problem with that."

[jasongrim]

Puts vodka in cooling fluid
Pilots and crew: drinks cooling fluid

[spartanx]

Capable of carrying booze faster than the speed of sound

[minhmeo]

Not the best Soviet bomber, but the most beautiful in my opinion 🤩

[carlhuffman]

Back in the very early 70s, I was stationed in Berlin with the US Army. We used to "see" these planes on occasion, and they had a few distinguishing traits. Interesting looking jobs for sure.

[reecom]

The Tu-22 pilot would turnoff or limits the use of the cooling system and sweat during the flight to save as much of the alcohol during a flight. The alcohol and distilled water were kept in separate tanks and mixed during flight. The ground crew would report that the alcohol was totally used during the flight. The pilot and flight crew would carry a red rubber hot water bladder and the ground crew would fill it up for the flight crew’s cut of the alcohol while the rest of the ground crew spilt the rest of the booze.

[Yukikazehalo]

The "update" process from the TU-22 to the TU-22M is an interesting story in itself, they essentially lied to the Poliburo about needed funding for a upgraded Blinder model and instead dumped all the money into developing a completely new aircraft from the ground up that wasn't a complete piece of junk.

[harrisonbergeron]

This Plane gives the Term "Blind Drunk" new meaning.

[Swtum]

I'd love to learn more about the Royal Navy's experiment with belly-landing planes on carriers with cushioned rubber decks. I just leaned of these experiments and haven't found much information about them.

[PaperSkiesAviation]

Can't help the feeling, especially after the first part of the video - so that's how my video would sound like if I don't have an accent :)

[commandersting]

I love how Bullshot was deemed an inappropriate name for the Tu-22, but the Mig-15’s nickname was all good😂

[paulgaskins]

I clean carpets in utah and one of my clients has a legion of merit and bronze star for intercepting 4 tu-22 in the 70’s from a base in England with the only American plane there capable of doing it. The Lockheed F-104 starfifhter

[flukedogwalker]

Tupolev designed planes are beautiful. I got to fly in a old TU-114 Turboprop airliner from Brazzaville, The republic of Congo thru Bangi Bangi to Jo'berg. The 60's styled interior was roomy and no overhead luggage bins, just a long shelf where you could store your hat. The legroom was the best I ever seen and your knees weren't crowded at all, despite flying in a old fashioned time machine, I felt I was in First Class. It had the old fashioned bomber nose cone windows and curtains.

[anasevi]

Tu-22m Backfire is practically an entirely different plane, they fixed so much from the craptastic T-22 Blinder. Great video regardless.

[MOrab]

We have the B-52 still flying. They still have TU-95 Bear.

[nick.letsgofishing]

Oh I watch all the channels. Absolutely love it!! Thank you for all the hard work.

[Rob-vvyn]

I saw one in Moscow a few years ago, impressive looking plane that looks like it could go a million miles an hour, just sitting on the glass. I think all 60’s planes were difficult to fly and would kill you in a second if you blinked.

[ROOSTER]

Something about Russian aeronautics that is special. Like one of their bombers has a coffee maker and enough room to stand up in just so the pilots don't fatigue

[mattarmstrong]

I really liked how the music intensified at the end when the plane was banking away. Felt very dramatic and allows the imagination wander, especially when you consider your talking about something called ‘Blinder’. Great video

[sorryforthings]

I have to admit, your channel is getting much better with accuracy. I am impressed.