{"product_id":"9780764348945","title":"Tupolev Tu-144 : The Soviet Supersonic Airliner by Vladimir Rigmant","description":"Developed in the 1960s\/1970s, the Tu-144 was the Soviet Union's only practical venture into supersonic commercial aviation. Though its career was all too brief, it was a major technological achievement for the Soviet aircraft industry.       The book provides in-depth coverage of the \"Concordski,\" including projected versions, the Tu-144's production and service history, and a comparison with the Concorde.       First flown on the last day of 1968-ahead of the Concorde-the Tu-144 had to undergo a long gestation period before the production version entered service in November 1977.       Unfortunately, its career proved to be brief; two accidents and a powerful anti-Tu-144 lobby caused the type to be withdrawn in May 1978.       The book describes the Tu-144's versions (including the Tu-144LL research aircraft developed under a Russian-US program) and touches on the projected military derivatives.       It is illustrated with color side views and previously unpublished photographs.\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311932911989,"sku":"9780764348945","price":54.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780764348945.jpg?v=1762819971","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9780764348945","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}