The TBF Avenger became a classic warfighter thanks to its resilience in the ongoing battle over the Pacific in the Second World War. Able to deliver payloads of torpedoes, drop bombs and rockets, the system was also capable (to an extent) of taking on enemy fighters in the dogfighting role.
The TBF Avenger came about as a US military requirement to replace the aging Douglas TBF Devastators. Grumman squared off against the Vought aircraft company and came out the winner with their Avenger design. From then on, the Avenger would become one of the more pivotal torpedo bombers fighting for the Allies in all of the war.
The Avenger was a single engine aircraft with a noticeably enlarged fuselage. The system was crewed by three personnel and could be fielded with a combination of 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns and 20mm cannons. Wings were straight and mounted in a low-monoplane formation. Early deliveries were without the identifiable power-operated dorsal turret but these would come on later as a welcomed defensive weapon. All bombs and torpedoes were kept in an internal weapons bay that was opened upon release of the payload.
Serving through World War Two as both bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the system would later be relegated to other duties that would include electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare and target towing. With production reaching over 10,000 in number, the Grumman TBF Avenger would become one of the many American Classic Warbirds that "helped win the war".
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Aircraft Quick Profile:
Image courtesy of Dan Alex.
1942
Designation:Grumman TBF Avenger Classification Type:Carrier-Borne Torpedo Bomber Contractor:Grumman; General Motors - USA Country of Origin: United States Production Total: 9,839
Operators: Brazil; Canada; France; Japan; Netherlands; New Zealand; United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay
Variants
XTBF-1 - Prototype Model Designation; fitted with Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone radial piston engine generating 1,700hp.
XTBF-3 - Prototype Model Designation leading up to the TBM-3 (described below).
TBF-1 - Initial Production Model
TBF-1C - Fitted with drop tanks and 2 x additional 12.7mm machine guns.
Tarpon Mk I - Royal Navy designation of the TBF-1C (later redesignated to Avenger Mk I).
TBM-1 - General Motors production models of which 550 were produced.
TBM-1C - General Motors production models of which 2,336 were produced.
TBM-3 - General Motors production of 4,657 of this model type based on the XTBF-3 prototype fitted with R-2600-219 powerplant generating 1,900hp; reinforced wing elements; provision for wing drop tanks and rockets.
Avenger Mk I - Royal Navy usage
Avenger MK II - Royal Navy usage of TBM-1C models.
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