Russia's Massive Supersonic Bomber That Kept Everyone Guessing

February 17, 1986. Across the barren North African desert, a fierce armed struggle was breaking out between neighboring states Libya and Chad, the latest flare-up in a long and complex intermittent conflict over territory and influence that stretched back over nearly twenty years.
Over the scorching sands of the Sahara soared a lone aircraft, one of many imported from much colder climes: the Tupolev Tu-22. Built in the early 1960s to go head-to-head with the best of Western technology as the Soviet Union’s first supersonic bomber, the Tu-22 had now found its way into Libya’s arsenal.
Rapidly hurtling over the seemingly endless desert towards the airfield at the Chadian capital of N’Djamena to unleash its lethal payload, the stalwart bomber maintained a low profile for more than 700 miles, skilfully avoiding detection by the radars of the Chadian government’s French allies. As the plucky pilot caught sight of his target up ahead, his fingers tensed around the throttle as he catapulted the aircraft through the sound barrier.
Climbing to 16,500 feet at speeds over Mach 1, the Tu-22 deftly maneuvered into position before dispatching its lethal cargo. Even moving at breakneck velocities and impressive altitudes, the Tu-22 found its mark with three heavy bombs, the first two destroying the airfield’s runway while the third wiped out the taxiway. Zooming over the flaming piles of rubble below, all the Tu-22 had to do now was make it home. Yet as N’Djamena’s anti-aircraft guns sprang to life, it seemed that might be easier said than done for the bomber once known as the “Supersonic Booze Carrier.”
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[@Chompchompyerded]

The ejection seat for the TU-22 fires downward, making it impossible to eject on take off and climb out, or on final. If you try to eject at those times, you become a greasy spot in a smoking hole in the ground.

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

The early Boeing B-47 had downward ejection also.

[@GlutenEruption]

@@patrickgriffitt6551 same with the early f-104

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

@@GlutenEruption I thought so but could not remember clearly. Thank you.

[@draconian6692]

Hilarious😂

[@llynellyn]

Cool video, but the aircraft in the thumbnail is a Tu-22M not a Tu-22 (it's a completely different aircraft with a similar name). On a comical note, the reason they have such a similar name is because when the Soviet air force asked their government to fund a replacement for the Tu-22 they refused as it wasn't deemed old enough to replace, so the air force asked for money for an upgrade program for the Tu-22 instead which they got, then they gave that money to Tupolev and told them to design a new plane.

[@robertalaverdov8147]

Same story with the US F-18 super hornet (20% larger) or the M109A7 Paladin (almost nothing in common with the original). In both cases modernization was used as an excuse for basically designing a new vehicle. As the military wouldn't approve funding for a new design but gave the approval for an update. Don't you love Bureaucracy!

[@lancerevell5979]

And why the USAF had the Republic F-84F sweptwing fighter, a totally different plane than the earlier F-84 straightwing fighters. 😮

[@MechanicalPeanut]

I caught that also. Seems like a regular theme lately

[@YouScroob]

I was under the impression that the Tu-22M is the "Backfire" bomber. I have seen those up close.

[@Colorado_Native]

​@@MechanicalPeanutI am retired USAF and worked flight simulators. There was a contract let to 'upgrade' our KC-135 simulator at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. The crew came in, took the dashboard, the center stack and the seats. The rest went to scrap. Nice upgrade. The joke was if you upgraded your car you would raise the hood, take off the radiator cap and drive a new car under the cap and install it.

[@MechanicalPeanut]

😂 "Pilots getting drunk off the coolant!" If that ain't Russian, nothing is!

[@dennisyoung4631]

Another “flying distillery?”

[@ChristopheJOUAN-qd3xu]

For your information, the Tu-22 Blinder that was lost by Libya during the raid on N'Djamena didn't managed to hit its targets but hit a nearby beer factory instead because the Libyan plane was shot down by a French Hawk missile before it could achieve its bomb run. It was the first ground-to-air missile victory for the French Army since World War II.

[@jsfbr]

"...a climb rate of 12 meters per second". I believe it's much better than that.

[@Chimpunk729]

Tu 22M indeed have strange nose. Similar shape with the plane i drawn when i was a kid. But it makes it unique that you can not ignored it. I also found that due to it shape and size, she had a very long intake 😊

[@mr.shannon6137]

The Russians do build some really cool toys. They might not be as good as ours (American), but they just seem way cooler in a Mad Max kind of way.

[@SurnaturalM]

The gigantic helicopter was so big. You would think you're near a building. There was one in a museum just outside moskva.

[@Air-bear]

Gadfly here 🤭. Such precise reverse engineering. The russki version of the B-29 even had the same faults. Primarily engine fires 🥶😶‍🌫️

[@ristube3319]

8:19 Dark Skies! Please give the equivalent measures on screen or spoken. I can’t convert non stop and keep up. Thank you 🙂

[@user-nj4en2br6e]

Beautiful design to be honest

[@Aviation_information]

It's truly amazing

[@DrJoy-cw7lt]

The Tu-22 was a handful at low speeds and did not handle crosswind well. Pilots were discouraged to attempt a crosswind landing. Which is pretty inconvenient if you have no choice but to land in said crosswind. It was beautiful however and is one of my favorite aircraft. It is just so pretty.

[@VictorRobotov00]

Fantastic video! Very interesting and fascinating story. Learned a good deal. Plus the “M’s” at the end there. Any excuse to see the Tu-22M. I love that plane. One of my favorite aircraft. In a neutral vacuum anyway. Thanks again for the great video!

[@davidharrison512]

You seem to have "Blinder" and "Backfire" mixed up. Think you need to do more research before releasing your videos.

[@erichammond9308]

The Tu-22M is designated "Backfire". The Tu-22B is the "Blinder"

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Or it’s there as an intentional error because it will lead people to comment, increasing engagement on the video and the channel and boosting visibility.

[@tHaH4x0r]

Beautiful aircraft, as is its distant cousin the tu22m.

[@Air-bear]

Gadfly here 😱. Love it, 🤗 the Tu-22 PRIMARILY built of aircraft grade aluminum alloy’s 😨. I feel safer already 😰

[@SandsOfArrakis]

I wouldn't want to fly in one if it was made of bicycle grade aluminum.

[@Avus95]

Prestige Worldwide

[@andie_pants]

It deftly maneuvers and muscles for rank, fuel burning fast on an empty tank...

[@kimchi2780]

I saw one on display in Uzbekistan. Its crazy that they built this, looked at it, and said da! All the power in the back and the swept wing so far back would be a nightmare at low speed and altitude.

[@vincedibona4687]

I saw them being built in Wakizashistan back in 1925.

[@darthsilversith667]

@@vincedibona4687*high five!* Greeeeeat success!

[@kimchi2780]

@darthsilversith667 Funny my wife is actually from Kazakhstan as well.

[@Aviation_information]

Uzbekistan had these sir?

[@kimchi2780]

@@Aviation_information there was a major Soviet Air Force Base there where they did training as well as flight testing.

[@piconano]

TU-22M is a sexy looking beast.

[@johnathandavis3693]

I've always liked, but that huge tail...B-1 WAY cleaner-looking to me.

[@redsun9261]

@@johnathandavis3693 You better compare that to Tu-160. Tu-22 is a "medium" bomber.

[@johnathandavis3693]

@@redsun9261 I'm just talking out general aesthetics, and I think the B-1 has nicer lines than the 160, as well. 160 is shaped like a radar target in comparison...

[@redsun9261]

​@@johnathandavis3693 They are both not stealthy enough to make a difference. Huge radar target. Pretty sure you like the black paint.

[@johnathandavis3693]

@@redsun9261 Actually, I like the little tag that says "Made in USA". We all know Russian stuff doesn't work very well (LOL) Plus, US E.W. capabilities have also proven superior lately. Ask the Houthis about that. Uncle Sam's airplanes show up, and Russian radars get turned-off, in a hilarious way. But yeah, the black paint looks cool...Bridge in the water soon! enjoy🙂

[@mrrolandlawrence]

Paper skies did a video on this… stating tsagi already did a study on the airframe design before construction and said the engine placement was madness. Their proposal of a layout like the tu22m3 was laughed at by tupolev back then.

[@doodskie999]

Boy this video was just uploaded at the right time 😂

[@ioaniorgu5662]

Thank you!

[@flukedogwalker3016]

The commenters are like, "it was then, during a heavy drinking session when the top Tupolev designer realized he could slip quicker though the crowd to the bathroom if his elbows were cocked back, hence the variable swept wing design concept was born."

[@bobwilson758]

TF = tail flutter ! Nice huh ? Holy shet , great stall characteristics -- 😮 We’re good down Ivan !

[@bumpedhishead636]

You never mentioned anything about a "strange nose" - and it's not even strange...

[@susanwahl6322]

Maybe it’s the groans from the viewers when they find out that that was a clickbait.

[@lorna7338]

Maybe that's where the vodka was kept that caused the plane to nosedive.

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

Strong Water cooling system, nice.

[@effervescentrelief]

Y'all know this is just the Wikipedia page narrated with a few slight tweaks so as to avoid copyright claims, right?

[@zone_wanderer]

Yet we're still here 😂

[@martincart2775]

No need to edit for copyright. Wikipedia is open source.

[@Bod8998]

And sometimes utter nonsense

[@HammerJammer81]

they all look like transformers

[@darthsilversith667]

Mtf?

[@kellysmith1144]

So the Tu-22 is the Blinder, and the Tu-22M is the Backfire, right? The title says massive so I was thinking the Backfire or the Blackjack lol

[@waterlife.1905]

I do definitely notice an uptick of viewers on this channel trying to correct and prove this guy wrong all the time. Why watch if you have to be an editor that no one aksed for.

[@marcuswippi850]

900km Reichweite? Das ist wohl ein Übersetzngsfehler! 👀😳

[@sneuchen]

der Vortrag ist zu emotional, das belastet die tatsächliche Info

[@joelsmith7868]

Your use of useless adjectives and adverbs is unmatched! Regardless love these videos

[@Tom-Lahaye]

While the information on the Tu-22 is good, this is not the case for the prototype which led to the development of the Tu-22 The Samolet 98 or Tu-98 how it also got known was indeed a design made with the Tu-16 as a basis. But it was not similar or the same as the Tu-128 interceptor, actually both the Tu-22 bomber and Tu-28 or Tu-128 which designation it became later were developed starting from the Tu-98 being unsatisfactory. The Tu-98 was twin engine and seen from above its shape resembles the Tu-128 somewhat. But in the side profile they look totally different. The Tu-98 has high placed air intakes just behind the canopy while the Tu-128 has air intakes in the conventional place behind the cockpit and low on the sides. The Tu-128 wasn't that much smaller than the Tu-22, it would become the largest interceptor ever built.

[@Aura-Of-Syrinx]

one just got shot down! \o/ turned into a helicopter xD

[@christainmarks106]

I hate to be the ONE guy that says something but i’m having a hard time equating the math units he’s using. I wish he used the US customary alongside

[@draconian6692]

Wild that russia retired these instead of updating them

[@patrickcosgrove2623]

Interesting video on the TU 22 aircraft. Russian pilots getting drunk on the planes coolant 🤪 was funny. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@auro1986]

if not aluminium then did you build aircrafts out of lead?

[@tHaH4x0r]

Before that era, combined wood and steel construction. After that era, stainless steel, titanium.

[@dennisyoung4631]

The mig-25 used a great deal of ferrous alloy in its skin and structure…

[@keithsargent6963]

I’ve never fretted about Russia’s nuke bombers, why worry why the ICBM will do the same thing in about an hour. I grew up on military bases and my dad was a pilot.

[@siegfriedsalchenegger6732]

the optional german audio is soo bad :D

[@andimannzipfelohr2979]

Die Zar-Bombe wurde nicht von einer TU22 abgeworfen.

[@guyh.4553]

Very educational. Liked it lots. Have to admit, the Tu-22M is a sleek, good-looking bird. Just like out B1. The Ukrainians royally screwed up selling back their 22Ms to Russia. This "Special Operation" could have a significantly different look. Bring on the F-16s!

[@user-cm1yo7uq5k]

One was just shot down in Ukraine- there is video

[@josega6338]

Chadian governments were not 'french allies', but french puppets on a string. Poupée de cire, poupée de son. (Wax doll, bran doll)

[@exocet1]

Libyan Tu-22 also bombed Tanaznia

[@djarenicz]

Can you slow down a bit? Take a breath or something

[@user-sx9ee8ow5v]

Russian masterpiece 🎉

[@user-rp2nq1ev6x]

Russia's TU- 160 is their massive supersonic bomber, which looks a lot like the B-1B Lancer. The aircraft depicted in this video is not all that massive.

[@DavidGreen-hp5yq]

Typical Dark Skies; muddying history, for propaganda's sake.

[@Chompchompyerded]

Booze wagon!

[@jamesragus1577]

Complimentary algorithm enhancement comment!😊

[@ristube3319]

1:03 “…and muscles for rank…fuel burning fast on that empty tank…” Cake - “the Distance”

[@MarkBush-en5cz]

Many mistakes, omissions in the B-29 copying effort. This video not worth your time. Far short of other worthwhile videos.

[@pauljacobs63]

One of these aircrafts, trying to destroy Ukraine (( remove this article!!

[@Bod8998]

Nothing new

[@ATLAS_879]

Why does he always upload a video and then change its title and thumbnail a few hours later?

[@PonderingGhost]

Been doing that for years.

[@martincart2775]

There are many "Dark" channels. He cross post and must use different titles and the thumbnails are auto generated.

[@jonathanchester5916]

Loads of potential here, but your delivery is a but rushed and the awful, pointless "anxiety" music in the background is a turn-off.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Awl, i.e. *poker!*

[@UkrainianPaulie]

russia isn't Eastern Europe.

[@stevemeredith2754]

1/3 of Russia is in the Eastern European continent

[@Ottakring-us3xi]

it only shows the USSR could not build a kite properly

[@entropy_of_principles]

...its look like Isaac Asimov 50' SF story vacuum cleaner, ....if it fly, better...😅😅😅