ICM 1/144 Tupolev-144D Soviet Supersonic Passenger Aircraft 14402The worlds first supersonic passenger aircraft became a Tu 144. It was designed by A. N. Tupolev Design Bureau. The maiden fl ight of the prototype was in December 31, 1968 (two month earlier than British French Concorde). The serial production began in 1971. The modifi cation Tu 144D with RD 36 51A engines and increased to 5300 km range was designed in 1974. All in all 5 Tu 144D aircraft were built up to 1984. SSSR 77112 aircraft made near 50 cargo