Tu-124, A.N.Tupolev KB ('Cookpot')

One of two T-124's on display at Datang Shan - China Aviation Museum, here 50257 in China Air Force marking. Aviation Photo's taken by Peter Bakema

The successful experience of Tu-104 airliner exploitation opened way to creation of short range jet liner. The work on the draft of new aircraft began in 1958 under leadership of S.M.Yeger, D.M.Markov, L.L.Kerber,K.V.Minker, B.M.Kondorsky, I.B.Babin. The dimensions of the plane were to be 1/4 less that Tu-104 with half of its mass. Wing trailing edge roots were extended, double-slotted flaps, automatic lift dumpers and large center-section airbrake improve takeoff and landing performance. Tu-124 was fitted with brake parachute for use in case of emergency landing.

Difference also was made in the interior design - modern plastic furnishing with strip light in the centre isle. Airliner was operated by crew of 3 (two pilots and navigator) with provision for second navigator or radio-operator.

Low pressure tires allowed grass field operation. Tu-124 was intended to replace the Il-14 on local lines, but failed. Old Ilyushin's workhorse was still far less demanding to airfield quality and much easier to maintain.

6k b/w drawing, courtesy of Sergey Andreev

Reduction of dimensions permitted to use Solovjov D-20P bypass turbojet (turbofan) engine. The decision of Ministry council N°786-378 about creation of new plane was issued on July 18 1958. Tu-124 appeared to be the first during the work on which the scale strength calculations method by A.M.Cheremukhin were applied. Those methods dramatically reduced the development time. The trial planes were built in Moscow, but the production was organized in Kharkov.

The first plane was completed in 1960. Factory trials began March 24 same year, and on March 29 the plane performed it's first flight. Commercial flights began on October 2, 1962 on route Moscow-Tallin.

The plane was in service up to early 70th when it was replaced by Tu-134.

30k b/w from Virtual Aircraft Museum

110 civil airliners and 55 planes for air force were manufactured. Efforts to introduce Tu-124 on international market has little success - three to CZA (October 1964), three VIP variants to Indian Government (1966), two to Interflug (transferred to East Germany airforce) some to Iraq(?) and China(?). Despite aircraft had much better economical characteristics than Tu-104 predecessor, potential customers were waiting for arrival of the Tu-134 (to be first announced in 1964 as Tu-124A)...