Comments by "Keit Hammleter" (@keithammleter3824) on "Why Soviet Pilots Called It “The Booze Carrier”: The Tupolev Tu-22 Story" video.

  1. One should keep things in perspective. The USAF B-47 jet bomber also had a downward firing ejection seat. This video describes the B-36 as a capable bomber. Hardly. USAAF airbase commanders found it too difficult to keep it flight ready, due to its complexity. It had a marked tendency to catch fire and was so slow it would never have made it to target before being shot down. Dud equipment was never confined to the USSR. You get dud equipment approved and put into production due to "yes-men" - mid-level people who are too afraid to give an all-powerful boss bad news. You also get it when there are too many levels in the chain of command, each watering down the bad news until it becomes good news. Both these factors tend to occur in the military and government departments world wide. From: Analysis Lead to Chief Aerodynamicist: This new engine configuration proposed by Comrade Tupolev can be made to fly but has vices that will kill many pilots. From Chief Aerodynamicist to Director Tupolev: Analysis has shown your engine proposal will fly well but some pilots may find it difficult and have accidents. From Director Tupolev to Minister for Air: Detailed technical investigation of my proposed engine layout has shown good flight characteristics and is likely to have a good accident rate compared to the norm. From Minister for Air to Chairman Khruschev: Careful technical evaluation has shown Tupolev's proposed new aircraft will have excellent flight characteristics and will be an unusually safe aircraft in service.
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