Since we're on the subject of counter rotating props I just had to bring up this little bird. The interesting thing about the TU-95 is that the prop tips are supersonic throughout much of it’s flight envelope, and I’m not sure I understand how that works
My guess is that so much thrust is produced by the section of prop that is subsonic that they are willing to put up with the problems associated with supersonic tips. One thing that is certain is that all those sonic booms make the TU-95 one of the LOUDEST aircraft in history.