Quote:
Originally Posted by Geek44
I suppose you know that the Russians appropriated a B-29 too. I'm unsure how they did it...but I think it was political machination. They reverse engineered that and sold the plans to the Chinese too. Ever see a 'B-29' with contra-rotating turbo props?
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A few B29's landed in Russia whilst bombing Japan as there were designated emergency strips in Russian territory. The story goes that Stalin ordered Tupelov to copy the design. Tupelov told Stalin he could design better bombers but Stalin insisted that the B29 be copied part for part. In disgust, Tupelov did just that, even copying patches where battle damage had been repaired. One interesting problem Tupelov had, the B29 was built in feet and inches and the Russians used millimeters and meters!!
The aircraft was designated the Tu-4 and was used in Soviet service until 1952.
I have a model of one in my 1/144 bomber collection.
