Rear view archival photograph of Tupolev Tu-144S CCCP-77144 (airframe 02-2) taking off at the 1975 Paris Air Show. This historic Soviet supersonic jet was later scrapped after retirement.
Photo by Stuart H Bourne
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
This archival rear view photograph captures the Tupolev Tu-144S “004” CCCP-77144 (construction number 02-2) during its takeoff at the 1975 Paris Air Show—a defining moment in Cold War aviation history. Unlike the frontal takeoff image, this angle highlights the aircraft’s powerful twin-engine exhaust and delta wing configuration as it departs Le Bourget.
CCCP-77144 was the fourth production Tu-144S built and operated by Aeroflot. It was used for demonstration flights and technical trials, including this high-profile appearance in Paris. The Tu-144, nicknamed “Concordski,” was the world’s first commercial supersonic transport aircraft, entering limited passenger service ahead of Concorde.
Despite its prominence, CCCP-77144 was not preserved. After retirement, the airframe was scrapped, and no known components remain on public display. The Tu-144 currently exhibited at Monino is a different airframe—CCCP-77106.
For archival reference and aircraft history, see .
