Tu-4

Tu-4

Tu-2S-59

Tu-14T

Tu-4

Tu-2S-59

Tu-14T

USSR

V Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.0	8.0	7.7

Class:

Bomber

Long Range bomber

Research:105 000

Purchase:300 000

Show in game

Description

The Tu-4 is a Rank IV Soviet bomber with a battle rating of 7.3 (AB), 8.0 (RB), and 7.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows". Though its structure is a copy of the American B-29 bomber, the Tu-4 features an improved 23 mm defensive armament and a very large payload.

Russian engineers reversed engineered an interred B-29 to develop an "exact" copy per Stalin's request. Challenges were met as available materials were developed using the metric system and the B-29 had been developed using the standard imperial system. Equipment had to be retooled and new supplies had to be developed to match the metric version of the imperial standard sizes. In the end, between the two aircraft, the Russian Tu-4 only weighted 340 kg more than the B-29, a difference of less than 1%. So stringent was the bureaucratic process for manufacturing parts and equipment, special permission from a high level general was required to allow Soviet made parachutes to be utilized in the Tu-4.

The Tu-4 is a heavy bomber, able to load up to 12,000 kg of bombs! It is able to fully destroy all three bases in one run, while also dealing significant damage to the enemy's airfield. It's defensive armament includes 5 x turrets with each having 2 x 23 mm cannons (a total of 10 x 23 mm cannons). These guns can annihilate enemy fliers in seconds while covering a wide area, making a Tu-4 tough to approach, let alone attack. However, don't be fooled, it is a huge target and thus nearly impossible to miss. With it's battle rating of 8.0 in RB, it will be facing top rank jet fighters most of the time.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
618	606	12,000	33.8	35.5	3.6	4.6	1,800
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 9,100 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
665	641	12,000	30.4	32.0	10.5	6.5	1,800

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
???	???	???	~??	~?

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< ???	< ???	< ???	> ???

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
?,??? m	??? hp	?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

• 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
• 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
• 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
• 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
• 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
• 6.5 mm Steel plate behind rear ventral turret.
• 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
• 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

Armaments

Suspended armament

The Tu-4 can be outfitted with the following payloads:

• 40 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (4,000 kg total)
• 10 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (2,500 kg total)
• 12 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (6,000 kg total)
• 20 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (10,000 kg total)
• 8 x 1000 kg FAB-1000 bombs (8,000 kg total)
• 8 x 1500 kg FAB-1500M-46 bombs (12,000 kg total)
• 4 x 3000 kg FAB-3000M-46 bombs (12,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

The Tu-4 is defended by:

• 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, front dorsal turret (275 rpg = 550 total)
• 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, front ventral turret (250 rpg = 500 total)
• 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, rear dorsal turret (275 rpg = 550 total)
• 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, rear ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
• 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, tail turret (275 rpg = 550 total)

Usage in the battles

The below tactics, can be used in all games modes:

Like most planes of its class, the Tu-4 relies on its defensive turrets for aerial combat. A few good hits from its 10 x 23 mm guns can send an attacker back to base, with critical damage or, if not, credit the player with the victory. Maxing out the crew stats is a good idea, It will allow the player to focus more on flying while the AI does the gunning. Don't get too arrogant, remember, the Tu-4 is a huge plane. It is easy to hit, and as mentioned above, especially when the opponents could be jets.

All in all, pay attention to the surroundings. The Tu-4 can easily net the team a win so don't let the feeling of invincibility get imbued, or the only reward will be a fiery end.

When first starting with this aircraft, the payload option is 40 x 100 kg bombs which are able to destroy numerous bases. One of the best ways to maximize the payload's effectiveness, 15 x 100 kg bombs are needed for one base. The A.I. gunners will be able to defend the plane as bombs are dropped from the bomb sight until switching back to the pilot seat, ready to head to next objective.

Once the Tu-4's bombing run is complete, start descending towards the friendly airfield; enemy fighters will be hunting for the Tu-4, so be more alert. The Tu-4 has a very powerful defensive systems installed with 5 turrets, each with two 2 x 23 mm cannons, so the Tu-4 should be able to defend itself reasonably well.

Do not rely on the AI gunners. Most of the time the Tu-4 will face top rank jets including Hunter F 1s and F2 Sabres. These adversaries are usually experienced and will not foolishly tail the bomber for long and try to engage at ranges greater than 1 kilometer or engage in a head-on pass. These maneuvers render the AI gunners largely useless. Laying down a stream of 23 mm rounds is recommended. Hits can be scored within 1.5-2 kilometers, if somebody is tailing the Tu-4 or engaging in a head-on pass, they can also occur at greater ranges. Combine the turret shooting with a defensive style of flying to utilize it to its full potential; the Tu-4 offers good handling for its size. Be very careful when putting the Tu-4 into a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Specific enemies worth noting

The two most dangerous opponents of the Tu-4 are the S.O.4050 Vautour IIA and the Hunter F 1. With their 30mm cannons, one burst will be devastating against the Tu-4. The F-86F-2 is also a dangerous opponent, with the four 20 mm cannons with a very high velocity and rate of fire. When downtiered, the most dangerous opponents are the Me 163, the Me 262 C-2b and the R2Y2 KAIs. With all having 30 mm cannons, they are able to send the Tu-4 back to the hangar within one burst. Don't underestimate the other Sabres, such as the F-86F-40 and the CL-13A. Their 12.7 mm machine guns can do a lot of damage, crippling or setting the Tu-4 afire, which could end the match for the plane there.

Counter-tactics

Do not be fooled of its nickname of "The Russian Death Star". Even with its powerful defensive armament, it does have weak spots.

While playing the Hunter F 1 or the Vautour IIA, it is easy to send this monster of an aircraft back to base with just one burst. Engaging in a head on is recommended, as the pilots have little protection, usually knocking them both out.

The Tu-4 is a monster of an aircraft, making it very easy to hit. Wings, and the tail control are weak spots, so hitting the wings will result into severe wing damage on the Tu-4, forcing it to return to base or even sending it back to the hangar.

While flying the Sabres, try to aim for the fuel tanks in the wings. Most of the time, just set the fuel tanks ablaze, or even blowing off the wing, sending the foe back to the hangar.

Do not engage the Tu-4 from the six! Engaging the Tu-4 at its tail, especially from below, is asking for trouble. Always try to engage the Tu-4 from the top, or in head ons, the fuselage turrets have dead zones when engaging from >~70 degrees.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator
II		Compressor	Airframe		KD-3	KD-4
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Turret 23 mm
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 23 mm Cannons (turret)	BD-4

Pros and cons

Pros:

• This aircraft currently has the highest payload in the game up to 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs)
• Very strong and fast climber once flight performance modifications have been purchased (compressor, engine, and engine injection)
• Offers effective defensive turrets that have very few dead zones
• Lots of ammo for defensive armaments
• Almost identical to the B-29 in terms of performance
• All payload options are internal and has next to no effect on flight performance
• Gunners are located separately from the gun turret with the exception of the tail turret
• Multiple Tu-4s single-handedly win games, if left ignored by the enemy team
• Stock-friendly grind
• Rewarding experience, if plane survives the match
• With a good gunner crew this aircraft can defend itself from most fighters coming to attack it, due to its 23 mm turrets
• Easy to learn, similar learning curve as the B-29

Cons:

• Does not offer any payload modification immediately, unlike the B-29
• Usually will lose Silver Lions after playing the Tu-4 due to the immense repair costs (66,640 Silver Lions spaded)
• Prone to fires and wing damage
• Slightly less engine power than the B-29
• Will be ripped to shreds by cannons with caliber of/larger than 20 mm, especially the MK108 and the ADEN/DEFA
• Matchmaking will make this aircraft face top rank jets as the Sabre, Hunter and the Vautour
• Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from from multiple directions
• Huge aircraft, making it easy to spot from distance and making it close to impossible to miss
• Has a low dive top-speed
• Takes a while to reach optimal altitude
• Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
• Wings are considered weak spots, damaged wings will hinder the plane's control

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

• [Devblog] B-29 Superfortress/Tu-4 – the new face of the giant

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• other literature.