Tupolev Tu-128 "Fiddler"
Tupolev · Soviet Union · first flew 1961 · fighter
The Tu-128 Fiddler was the Soviet Union's long-range interceptor designed to patrol the vast Arctic frontier, the world's largest supersonic combat aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Enormous size — the largest interceptor ever built, with a fuselage longer than many bombers and a wingspan exceeding 17 metres |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enormous size — the largest interceptor ever built, with a fuselage longer than many bombers and a wingspan exceeding 17 metres
- Two engines buried in the fuselage roots feeding large rectangular cheek intakes either side of the nose
- Long pointed nose housing the RP-S Smerch radar, with four R-4 missiles carried underwing — one radar-guided and one infrared per side
Sheer size sets the Fiddler apart from all other Soviet fighters — it dwarfs the Su-15 and MiG-25 on the ramp. The mid-fuselage swept wing, cheek intakes, and characteristic four-missile underwing load are diagnostic.
Specifications
- The Tu-128 Fiddler has a length of 30.06 m (99 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.53 m (58 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1850 km/h (1150 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in 1961 and entering service in 1965, the Tu-128 was developed to intercept Western bombers approaching the USSR from the north, where no fighter base existed within range. It carried the heavy R-4 missile system and relied on ground-controlled intercept rather than pilot initiative.
Variants
The Tu-128M (Fiddler-B) introduced the improved RP-SM Smerch-M radar and upgraded R-4R/T missiles; the Tu-128UT was a two-seat trainer conversion with a second cockpit.
Where you'll see it
The Tu-128 was retired from Soviet service in the early 1990s as Su-27s extended the coverage of conventional fighter bases. Several examples are preserved at Russian aviation museums including Monino.
Related aircraft
- Tupolev Tu-123
- Tupolev Tu-128P
- Tupolev Tu-95LAL
- Tupolev Tu-124
- Canadair CF-104D
- F-4B / F-4C Phantom II
- HAL HF-24 Marut
- McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II
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