Russian mathematician Maria Karmanova is on a mission to restore a Tupolev Tu-104A passenger jet that was left to rot at an airfield deep in Siberia.<br />
Russian plane restorer —
Russian mathematician Maria Karmanova is on a mission to restore a Tupolev Tu-104A passenger jet that was left to rot at an airfield deep in Siberia.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
The 31-year-old developed a love of aviation while traveling to mathematics conferences around the world. Over the years she's tracked down and flown in many classic Soviet aircraft.
Karmanova in the cockpit —
The 31-year-old developed a love of aviation while traveling to mathematics conferences around the world. Over the years she's tracked down and flown in many classic Soviet aircraft.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Before long, Karmanova heard of an old Tupolev rusting away at her local aerodrome at Berdsk, near Novosibirsk.
Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104A —
Before long, Karmanova heard of an old Tupolev rusting away at her local aerodrome at Berdsk, near Novosibirsk.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
The Tupolev Tu-104 was a workhorse of the Soviet skies from the 1950s to 1970s. It was briefly the world's only operational jet airliner -- something that was a matter of great Soviet pride.
Soviet workhorse —
The Tupolev Tu-104 was a workhorse of the Soviet skies from the 1950s to 1970s. It was briefly the world's only operational jet airliner -- something that was a matter of great Soviet pride.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In its heyday, the Tupolev Tu-104A was capable of flying 115 passengers up to 1,500 nautical miles. A total of 60 Tu-104As were delivered, mostly for use by Aeroflot.
Past glory —
In its heyday, the Tupolev Tu-104A was capable of flying 115 passengers up to 1,500 nautical miles. A total of 60 Tu-104As were delivered, mostly for use by Aeroflot.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
The Siberian Tupolev Tu-104A was delivered to Aeroflot in 1958 and flew for 20 years on international routes from Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). It was decommissioned in 1978.
International routes —
The Siberian Tupolev Tu-104A was delivered to Aeroflot in 1958 and flew for 20 years on international routes from Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). It was decommissioned in 1978.
Maria Karmanova
After being delivered to Siberia in 1978, the aircraft had been used by the local aero club as a classroom to train skydivers and glider pilots. Unused for several decades it then fell into a state of disrepair.
Skydivers' classroom —
After being delivered to Siberia in 1978, the aircraft had been used by the local aero club as a classroom to train skydivers and glider pilots. Unused for several decades it then fell into a state of disrepair.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
When Karmanova first encountered the Siberian plane in 2009, it had been heavily vandalized and much of the equipment was broken or stolen.
Plane in 2009 —
When Karmanova first encountered the Siberian plane in 2009, it had been heavily vandalized and much of the equipment was broken or stolen.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
She had no experience restoring or repairing aircraft, no idea what parts were needed or where they went, and no blueprints to work from.
FInding help —
She had no experience restoring or repairing aircraft, no idea what parts were needed or where they went, and no blueprints to work from.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
With no knowledge of the Tupolev's equipment, Karmanova embarked on a quest to gather as much information as possible about the configuration of the Tu-104A cockpit. Along the way she met a former Tu-104 co-pilot who was able to offer insights and an operating manual.
Captain's panel 2009 —
With no knowledge of the Tupolev's equipment, Karmanova embarked on a quest to gather as much information as possible about the configuration of the Tu-104A cockpit. Along the way she met a former Tu-104 co-pilot who was able to offer insights and an operating manual.
Once she had enough details about the the Tupolev´s cockpit and components, Karmanova began scouring the secondhand market for missing parts.
Flight engineer's panel 2009 —
Once she had enough details about the the Tupolev´s cockpit and components, Karmanova began scouring the secondhand market for missing parts.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Spare parts have been surprisingly simple to track down. Many are offered for sale, via the Internet, across the former Soviet Union.
Navigator's panel —
Spare parts have been surprisingly simple to track down. Many are offered for sale, via the Internet, across the former Soviet Union.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Karmanova has been joined on her mission by aviation maintenance worker Vladimir Chebotnikov, who helps install heavy equipment and restore many items. Another three people have joined the project recently, assisting with locating missing parts and work on electrical systems.
First Officer's panel 2009 —
Karmanova has been joined on her mission by aviation maintenance worker Vladimir Chebotnikov, who helps install heavy equipment and restore many items. Another three people have joined the project recently, assisting with locating missing parts and work on electrical systems.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
And so one piece at a time, using her own money, Karmanova is now reassembling the aircraft. "The cockpit is currently about 60 to 70% restored to its original condition, but there's still much to do," she says.<br />
Flight deck —
And so one piece at a time, using her own money, Karmanova is now reassembling the aircraft. "The cockpit is currently about 60 to 70% restored to its original condition, but there's still much to do," she says.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
"Of course, my dream is to make this aircraft fly," Karmanova says. "But this would require so much money, paperwork and a huge amount of technical work that I don't think it's going to happen in the foreseeable future." <br />
Captain's panel today —
"Of course, my dream is to make this aircraft fly," Karmanova says. "But this would require so much money, paperwork and a huge amount of technical work that I don't think it's going to happen in the foreseeable future."
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Karmanova has set herself the more limited, but feasible, short-term goal of getting some of the electrical equipment repaired so that lights and communications can come back to life.
Flight engineer's panel today —
Karmanova has set herself the more limited, but feasible, short-term goal of getting some of the electrical equipment repaired so that lights and communications can come back to life.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Ultimately, the idea is to turn the aircraft into a museum within the grounds of Berdsk airfield. It's already possible to visit the aircraft during spring and summer.
Navigator's panel today —
Ultimately, the idea is to turn the aircraft into a museum within the grounds of Berdsk airfield. It's already possible to visit the aircraft during spring and summer.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova
Once restoration is complete, the aircraft will be properly adapted to receive visitors, turning it into a local attraction.
First Officer's panel today —
Once restoration is complete, the aircraft will be properly adapted to receive visitors, turning it into a local attraction.
Courtesy Maria Karmanova