Aircraft - Tupolev TU-22 „Blinder“

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The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name Blinder) was a Soviet supersonic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Tu-22 was originally intended as a supersonic replacement for the Tupolev Tu-16 bomber. The design, designated Samolët 105 by Tupolev, was drawn in 1954, and the first flight of the prototype took place on 21 June 1958. The availability of more powerful engines, and the TsAGI discovery of the Area rule for minimizing transonic drag, led to the construction of a revised prototype, the 105A. This first flew on 7 September 1959. The first serial-production Tu-22B bomber, built at Kazan Factory No. 22, flew on 22 September 1960, and the type was presented in the Tushino Aviation Day parade on 9 July 1961. It initially received the NATO reporting name 'Bullshot,' which was deemed to be inappropriate, then 'Beauty,' which was deemed to be too complimentary, and finally the 'Blinder.' Soviet crews called it 'Shilo' (awl) because of its shape.