Grumman TBF Avenger: American Torpedo Bomber

Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. 

The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM[1] for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American World War II-era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and also eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.

The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942 and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective submarine killer and most widely used torpedo bomber of World War II, sharing credit for sinking the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi and being credited for sinking 30 submarines. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.

From 1942-on, production of the Avenger (in fact nearly three quarters of its the total production) was subcontracted to a purposely established division of General Motors: the Eastern Aircraft Division.

General Information

Type: Torpedo bomber

National origin: United States

Manufacturer: Grumman

Built by: GM Eastern Aircraft Division

Status: Retired

Primary users: United States Navy; Royal Navy; Royal Canadian Navy; Royal New Zealand Air Force

Number built: 9,839

Introduction date: 1942

First flight: 7 August 1941

Retired: 1960s

Design and Development

The Douglas TBD Devastator, the U.S. Navy's main torpedo bomber introduced in 1935, was obsolete by 1939. Bids were accepted from several companies, but Grumman's TBF design was selected as the replacement for the TBD and in April 1940 two prototypes were ordered by the Navy. Designed by Leroy Grumman, the first prototype was called the XTBF-1. It was first flown on 7 August 1941. Although one of the first two prototypes crashed near Brentwood, New York, rapid production continued.

To ease carrier storage concerns, simultaneously with the F4F-4 model of its Wildcat carrier fighter, Grumman designed the Avenger to also use the new Sto-Wing patented "compound angle" wing-folding mechanism, intended to maximize storage space on an aircraft carrier; the Wildcat's replacement, the F6F Hellcat, also employed this mechanism.[2] The engine used was the twin-row Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone fourteen-cylinder radial engine, which produced 1,900 horsepower (1,420 kW).

There were three crew members: pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier/ventral gunner. A single synchronized .30 caliber (7.62 mm) machine gun was mounted in the nose, a .50 caliber (12.7 mm) gun was mounted right next to the turret gunner's head in a rear-facing electrically powered turret, and a single 0.30 caliber (7.62 mm) hand-fired machine gun flexibly-mounted ventrally (under the tail), which was used to defend against enemy fighters attacking from below and to the rear. This gun was fired by the radioman/bombardier while standing up and bending over in the belly of the tail section, though he usually sat on a folding bench facing forward to operate the radio and to sight in bombing runs.

Later models of the TBF/TBM omitted the cowl-mount synchronized 0.30 caliber (7.62 mm) gun, and replaced it with twin Browning AN/M2 0.50 caliber (12.7 mm) light-barrel guns, one in each wing outboard of the propeller arc, per pilots' requests for better forward firepower and increased strafing ability. There was only one set of controls on the aircraft, and no direct access to the pilot's position existed from the rest of the aircraft's interior. The radio equipment was massive, especially by today's standards, and filled the length of the well-framed "greenhouse" canopy to the rear of the pilot. The radios were accessible for repair through a "tunnel" along the right hand side. Any Avengers that are still flying today usually have an additional rear-mounted seat in place of the radios, allowing for a fourth passenger.

The Avenger had a large bomb bay, allowing for one Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 torpedo, a single 2,000-pound (907 kg) bomb, or up to four 500-pound (227 kg) bombs. The aircraft had overall ruggedness and stability, and pilots say it flew like a truck, for better or worse. With its good radio facilities, docile handling, and long range, the Grumman Avenger also made an ideal command aircraft for Commanders, Air Group (CAGs). With a 30,000 ft (9,000 m) ceiling and a fully loaded range of 1,000 miles (1,600 km), it was better than any previous American torpedo bomber, and better than its Japanese counterpart, the obsolete Nakajima B5N "Kate". Later Avenger models carried radar equipment for the ASW and AEW roles.

Escort carrier sailors referred to the TBF as the "turkey" because of its size and maneuverability in comparison to the F4F Wildcat fighters in the same air groups.

Operational History

U.S. Navy

On the afternoon of 7 December 1941, Grumman held a ceremony to open a new manufacturing plant and display the new TBF to the public. Coincidentally, on that day, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, as Grumman soon found out. After the ceremony was over, the plant was quickly sealed off to guard against possible sabotage. By early June 1942, a shipment of more than 100 aircraft was sent to the Navy, arriving only a few hours after the three carriers quickly departed from Pearl Harbor, so most of them were too late to participate in the pivotal Battle of Midway.

Six TBF-1s were present on Midway Island – as part of VT-8 (Torpedo Squadron 8) – while the rest of the squadron flew Devastators from the aircraft carrier Hornet. Both types of torpedo bombers suffered heavy casualties. Out of the six Avengers, five were shot down and the other returned heavily damaged with one of its gunners killed, and the other gunner and the pilot wounded.

Author Gordon Prange posited in Miracle at Midway that the outdated Devastators (and lack of new aircraft) contributed somewhat to the lack of a complete victory at Midway (the four Japanese fleet carriers were sunk directly by dive bombers instead). Others pointed out that the inexperienced American pilots and lack of fighter cover were responsible for poor showing of US torpedo bombers, regardless of type. Later in the war, with growing American air superiority, better attack coordination and more veteran pilots, Avengers were able to play vital roles in the subsequent battles against Japanese surface forces.

On 24 August 1942, the next major naval aircraft carrier battle occurred at the Eastern Solomons. Based on the carriers Saratoga and Enterprise, the 24 TBFs present were able to sink the Japanese light carrier Ryūjō and claim one dive bomber, at the cost of seven aircraft.

The first major "prize" for the TBFs (which had been assigned the name "Avenger" in October 1941, before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor) was at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, when Marine Corps and Navy Avengers helped sink the Japanese battleship Hiei, which had already been crippled the night before.

After hundreds of the original TBF-1 models were built, the TBF-1C began production. The allotment of space for specialized internal and wing-mounted fuel tanks doubled the Avenger's range. By 1943, Grumman began to slowly phase out production of the Avenger to produce F6F Hellcat fighters, and the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors took over production, with these aircraft being designated TBM. The Eastern Aircraft plant was located in Ewing, New Jersey. Grumman delivered a TBF-1, held together with sheet metal screws, so that the automotive engineers could disassemble it, one part at a time, and redesign the aircraft for automotive-style production. This aircraft was known as the "P-K Avenger" ("P-K" being an abbreviation for Parker-Kalon, manufacturer of sheet metal screws). Starting in mid-1944, the TBM-3 began production (with a more powerful powerplant and wing hardpoints for drop tanks and rockets). The dash-3 was the most numerous of the Avengers (with about 4,600 produced). However, most of the Avengers in service were dash-1s until near the end of the war in 1945.

Besides the traditional surface role (torpedoing surface ships), Avengers claimed about 30 submarine kills, including the cargo submarine I-52. They were one of the most effective sub-killers in the Pacific theater, as well as in the Atlantic, when escort carriers were finally available to escort Allied convoys. There, the Avengers contributed to the warding off of German U-boats while providing air cover for the convoys.

After the "Marianas Turkey Shoot", in which more than 250 Japanese aircraft were downed, Admiral Marc Mitscher ordered a 220-aircraft mission to find the Japanese task force. Fighting 300 nmi (560 km) away from the fleet at the extreme end of their range, the group of Hellcats, TBF/TBMs, and dive bombers took many casualties. However, Avengers from the Independence-class aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood sank the light carrier Hiyō as their only major prize. Mitscher's gamble did not pay off as well as he had hoped.

In June 1943, shortly before his 19th birthday, future-president, George H. W. Bush, was commissioned as the youngest naval aviator at the time. Later, while flying a TBM with VT-51 (from USS San Jacinto), his Avenger was shot down on 2 September 1944 over the Pacific island of Chichi Jima. However, he released his payload and hit the radio tower target before being forced to bail out over water. Both of his crewmates died. He was rescued at sea by the American submarine USS Finback. He later received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Another famous Avenger aviator was Paul Newman, who flew as a rear gunner. He had hoped to be accepted for pilot training, but did not qualify because he was color blind. Newman was on board the escort carrier USS Hollandia roughly 500 mi (800 km) from Japan when the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

The Avenger was the type of torpedo bomber used during the sinking of the two Japanese "super battleships", with the US Navy having complete air superiority in both engagements: Musashi and Yamato.

The postwar disappearance on 5 December 1945 of a flight of five American Avengers, known as Flight 19, was later added to the Bermuda Triangle legend, first written about by Edward Van Winkle Jones in an Associated Press article published in September 1950.

During World War II, the US aeronautical research arm NACA used a complete Avenger in a comprehensive drag-reduction study in their large Langley wind tunnel.

Royal Navy

The Avenger was also used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), where it was initially known as the "Tarpon". Initial test flights were carried out by British Admiralty test pilot Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner at RAF Boscombe Down. However, this name was later discontinued and the Avenger name used instead, as part of the process of the FAA universally adopting the U.S. Navy's names for American naval aircraft. The first 402 aircraft were known as Avenger Mk I, 334 TBM-1s from Grumman were called the Avenger Mk II, and 334 TBM-3 were designated the Mk III. An interesting kill by a Royal Navy Avenger was the destruction of a V-1 flying bomb on 9 July 1944. The much faster V-1 was overtaking the Avenger when the Telegraphist Air Gunner in the dorsal turret, Leading Airman Fred Shirmer, fired at it from 700 yards (640 m). For this achievement, Shirmer was Mentioned in Dispatches, later being awarded the DSM for the 1945 Operation Meridian action at Palembang. In the January 1945 British carrier raid on the Soengei Gerong oil refinery during Operation Meridian, an FAA Avenger shot down a Nakajima Ki-44 "Tojo" in low level combat over the jungle. Three Avengers were modified to carry the Highball "bouncing bomb" (given the new codename Tammany Hall), but when trials were unsuccessful, they were returned to standard configuration and passed to the Royal Navy.

One hundred USN TBM-3Es were supplied to the FAA in 1953 under the US Mutual Defense Assistance Program. The aircraft were shipped from Norfolk, Virginia, many aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Perseus. The Avengers were fitted with British equipment by Scottish Aviation and delivered as the Avenger AS.4 to several FAA squadrons including No. 767, 814, 815, 820 and 824. The aircraft were replaced from 1954 by Fairey Gannets and were passed to squadrons of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve including Nos. 1841 and 1844 until the RNVR Air Branch was disbanded in 1957. The survivors were transferred to the French Navy in 1957–1958.

Royal New Zealand Air Force

The only other operator in World War II was the Royal New Zealand Air Force which used the type primarily as a bomber, equipping Nos. 30 and 31 Squadrons, with both operating from South Pacific island bases during 1944 in support of the Bougainville campaign. Some of the Avengers were later transferred to the British Pacific Fleet.

In 1945, Avengers were involved in pioneering trials of aerial topdressing in New Zealand that led to the establishment of an industry which markedly increased food production and efficiency in farming worldwide. Pilots of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 42 Squadron spread fertilizer from Avengers beside runways at Ohakea Air Base and provided a demonstration for farmers at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, New Zealand.

Royal Canadian Navy

One of the primary postwar users of the Avenger was the Royal Canadian Navy, which obtained 125 former US Navy TBM-3E Avengers from 1950 to 1952 to replace their Fairey Fireflies. By the time the Avengers were delivered, the RCN was shifting its primary focus to anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and the aircraft was rapidly becoming obsolete as an attack platform. Consequently, 98 of the RCN Avengers were fitted with an extensive number of novel ASW modifications, including radar, electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment, and sonobuoys, and the upper ball turret was replaced with a sloping glass canopy that was better suited for observation duties. The modified Avengers were designated AS 3. A number of these aircraft were later fitted with a large magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom on the rear left side of the fuselage and were redesignated AS 3M. However, RCN leaders soon realized the Avenger's shortcomings as an ASW aircraft, and in 1954 they elected to replace the AS 3 with the Grumman S-2 Tracker, which offered longer range, greater load-carrying capacity for electronics and armament, and a second engine, a great safety benefit when flying long-range ASW patrols over frigid North Atlantic waters. As delivery of the new license-built CS2F Trackers began in 1957, the Avengers were shifted to training duties, and were officially retired in July 1960.

Camouflage Research

TBM Avengers were used in wartime research into counter-illumination camouflage. The torpedo bombers were fitted with Yehudi lights, a set of forward-pointing lights automatically adjusted to match the brightness of the sky. The planes therefore appeared as bright as the sky, rather than as dark shapes. The technology, a development of the Canadian navy's diffused lighting camouflage research, allowed an Avenger to advance to within 3,000 yards (2,700 m) before being seen.

Civilian Use

Many Avengers have survived into the 21st century working as spray-applicators and water-bombers throughout North America, particularly in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Forest Protection Limited (FPL) of Fredericton, New Brunswick, once owned and operated the largest civilian fleet of Avengers in the world. FPL began operating Avengers in 1958 after purchasing 12 surplus TBM-3E aircraft from the Royal Canadian Navy. Use of the Avenger fleet at FPL peaked in 1971 when 43 aircraft were in use as both water bombers and spray aircraft. The company sold three Avengers in 2004 (C-GFPS, C-GFPM, and C-GLEJ) to museums or private collectors. The Central New Brunswick Woodsmen's Museum has a former FPL Avenger on static display. An FPL Avenger that crashed in 1975 in southwestern New Brunswick was recovered and restored by a group of interested aviation enthusiasts and is currently on display at the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum. FPL was still operating three Avengers in 2010 configured as water-bombers, and stationed at Miramichi Airport. One of these crashed just after takeoff on 23 April 2010, killing the pilot. The last FPL Avenger was retired on 26 July 2012 and sold to the Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

There are several other Avengers, usually flying as warbirds in private collections around the world today. They are a popular airshow fixture in both flying and static displays.

In 2020 the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) were flying three TBM Avengers with one based with the Rocky Mountain Wing in Grand Junction, Colorado; another with the Missouri Wing at St Charles Smartt Field; and their newest with the Capital Wing in Culpeper, Virginia. Each of these allow non-CAF members to ride in the aircraft for a Living History Flight Experience.

Variants

TBF

XTBF-1: Prototypes each powered by a 1,700 hp (1,300 kW) R-2600-8 engine, second aircraft introduced the large dorsal fin. (2 built)

TBF-1: Initial production model based on the second prototype. (1,526 built)

TBF-1C: TBF-1 with provision for two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) wing guns and fuel capacity increased to 726 US gal (2,748 L). (765 built)

TBF-1B: Paper designation for the Avenger I for the Royal Navy.

TBF-1D: TBF-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.

TBF-1CD: TBF-1C conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.

TBF-1E: TBF-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.

TBF-1J: TBF-1 equipped for bad weather operations

TBF-1L: TBF-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.

TBF-1P: TBF-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance

TBF-1CP: TBF-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance

XTBF-2: TBF-1 re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.

XTBF-3: TBF-1 re-engined with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.

TBF-3: Planned production version of the XTBF-3, cancelled

TBM

TBM-1: as TBF-1. (550 built)

TBM-1C: as TBF-1C. (2336 built)

TBM-1D: TBM-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.

TBM-1E: TBM-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.

TBM-1J: TBM-1 equipped for all weather operations

TBM-1L: TBM-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.

TBM-1P: TBM-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance

TBM-1CP: TBM-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance

TBM-2: One TBM-1 re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.

XTBM-3: Four TBM-1C aircraft with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.

TBM-3: as TBM-1C, double cooling intakes, engine upgrade, minor changes. (4,011 built)

TBM-3D: TBM-3 conversion with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.

TBM-3E: as TBM-3, stronger airframe, search radar, ventral gun deleted. (646 built).

TBM-3H: TBM-3 conversion with surface search radar.

TBM-3J: TBM-3 equipped for all weather operations

TBM-3L: TBM-3 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.

TBM-3M: TBM-3 conversion as a Tiny Tim rocket launcher.

TBM-3N: TBM-3 conversion for night attack.

TBM-3P: TBM-3 conversion for photo-reconnaissance.

TBM-3Q: TBM-3 conversion for electronic countermeasures, retained gun turret.

TBM-3R: TBM-3 conversions as seven-passenger, Carrier onboard delivery transport.

TBM-3S: TBM-3 conversion as an anti-submarine strike version.

TBM-3U: TBM-3 conversion as a general utility and target version.

TBM-3W: TBM-3 conversion as the first ship based airborne early warning control and relay platform with AN/APS-20 radar in ventral radome.

XTBM-4: Prototypes based on TBM-3E with modified wing incorporating a reinforced center section and a different folding mechanism. (3 built)

TBM-4: Production version of XTBM-4, 2,141 on order were cancelled.

Royal Navy Avenger

Tarpon GR.I: RN designation of the TBF-1, 400 delivered.

Avenger Mk.II: RN designation of the TBM-1/TBM-1C, 334 delivered.

Avenger Mk.III: RN designation of the TBM-3, 222 delivered

Avenger Mk.IV: RN designation of the TBM-3S, 70 cancelled

Avenger AS4: RN designation of the TBM-3E, delivered postwar with minimum modifications

Avenger AS5: RN designation of the TBM-3S, delivered postwar & fitted with British equipment

Avenger AS6: RN designation of the TBM-3S, fitted with British equipment including a centerline radome. A total of one hundred TBM-3E & TBM-3S were delivered to the Royal Navy in 1953.

Royal Canadian Navy Avengers

Avenger AS3: Modified by RCN for anti-submarine duty, dorsal gun turret removed, 98 built

Avenger AS3M: AS3 with magnetic anomaly detector boom added to rear fuselage

Avenger Mk.3W2: Similar to TBM-3W, with large ventral radome. 8 operated.

Operators

Brazil: Brazilian Navy operated three Avengers in the 1950s for deck crew training aboard the carrier Minas Gerais (A-11).

Canada: Royal Canadian Navy operated Avengers until replaced by the CS2F Tracker in 1960.

Cuba: Cuban Navy received 7 TBM-3S2 in 1956; however, they were out of service by 1960.

France: Aéronavale operated Avengers in the 1950s.

Japan: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force operated Hunter-Killer Avengers groups in the 1950s and 1960s.

Netherlands: Royal Netherlands Navy – the Dutch Naval Aviation Service operated Avengers during the 1950s.

New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force

No. 30, No. 31, No. 41, No. 42 Squadrons RNZAF

Central Fighter Establishment

Nicaragua: Nicaraguan Air Force

United Kingdom: Royal Navy – Fleet Air Arm

700, 703, 706, 711, 733, 736, 738, 744, 751, 756, 763, 764, 768, 774, 778, 782, 783, 785, 787, 797, 798, 820, 828, 832, 845, 846, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857 Naval Air Squadrons

United States: United States Navy, United States Marine Corps

Uruguay: Uruguayan Navy operated 16 TBF Avengers in the 1949 to 1963.

Notable Incidents

A famous incident involving the TBM / TBF Avenger aircraft was the disappearance of Flight 19, a training flight of five Avengers that originated from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale and was lost in December 1945 over the Bermuda Triangle.

During an airshow on 17 April 2021, TBM #91188 carried out a successful ditching south of Cocoa Beach, Florida near Patrick Space Force Base, in shallow surf. Valiant Air Command, the group that owns the plane, recovered the TBM for transport to Titusville, Florida to undergo extensive repairs.

Survivors

Australia

Airworthy

TBM-3: 53857 - Bennet Aviation Pty Limited in Redhead, New South Wales.

Canada

Airworthy

TBM-3:

53610 - Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

53858 - Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.

69361 - Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

On display

TBM-3:

53607 - Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

85733 - Central New Brunswick Woodsmen's Museum in Boiestown, New Brunswick.

85861 - Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

In storage

TBM-3: 91171 - James Wilson in British Columbia.

France

Airworthy

TBM-3: 85869 - AMPAA in Etampes.

Israel

On display

TBM-3: 69355 - Israeli Air Force Museum.

Under restoration

TBM-3: 85506 - under restoration by Ben Ami in Tel Aviv.

New Zealand

Airworthy

TBM-3: 91110 - Brendon Deere, based at RNZAF Base Ohakea, painted as NZ2518 "Plonky" (build number 47733).

On display

TBF-1:

24336 - RNZAF serial NZ2504, RNZAF Museum in Wigram, New Zealand, painted in its original colours as RNZAF serial NZ2504.

24337 - RNZAF serial NZ2505, Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui, on loan from Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society in Gisborne, New Zealand.

47859 - RNZAF serial NZ2527, Museum of Transport and Technology, Western Springs, Auckland.

Under restoration

TBF-1: 48016 - RNZAF serial NZ2539, being restored by Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui.

United Kingdom

On display

TBM-3:

69327 - Imperial War Museum in Duxford.

XB446 - Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton.

United States

Airworthy

TBM-3:

69325 - privately owned in Camden, Tennessee.

69329 - privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

69459 - based at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

TBM-3E:

53119 - privately owned in Orange, California.

53139 - based at the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

53353 - based at the Commemorative Air Force (Missouri Wing) in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri.

53420 - based at the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, Ohio.

53454 - based at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

53503 - based at the CAF Rocky Mountain Wing Museum in Grand Junction, Colorado.

53575 - based at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas.

53638 - based at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania.

53768 - privately owned in Joliet, Illinois.

53785 - based at the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California.

53787 - based at the Catcus Air Force Wings and Wheels Museum in Carson City, Nevada.

53818 - privately owned in Bloomington, Minnesota.

53829 - privately owned in West Fargo, North Dakota.

53835 - privately owned in Greenwich, Connecticut.

85460 - based at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May County, New Jersey.

85632 - privately owned in Peru, Illinois.

85650 - privately owned in Pawcatuck, Connecticut.

85794 - based at the Lauridsen Aviation Museum in Buckeye, Arizona.

85849 - Erickson Aircraft Collection in Beaverton, Oregon.

85882 - privately owned in Latham, New York.

85886 - based at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York.

85938 - based at the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas.

85983 - privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.

86180 - based at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May County, New Jersey.

86280 - based at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas. Removed from public display when the museum indefinitely closed on 1 January 2024. To be moved to North Texas Regional Airport in Denison, Texas.

91264 - based at the Planes of Fame in Chino, California.

91388 - privately owned in Danbury, Connecticut.

91426 - based at the Commemorative Air Force (Capital Wing) in Brandy Station, Virginia.

91436 - based at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio.

91453 - privately owned in Fort Valley, Virginia.

91521 - privately owned in Huntington, Indiana.

91726 - privately owned in Jackson, Mississippi.

91733 - based at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts.

On display

TBM-1: 24803 - USS Intrepid (CV-11) at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum at Pier 86 in New York, New York. It is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.

TBM-3:

69374 - National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA and was restored by Rolando X Gutierrez, Flyboys Aeroworks, LLC in San Diego, California.

69375 - USS Hornet (CV-12) museum in Alameda, California.

69472 - Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

TBM-3E:

53200 - Museum of Mountain Flying at the Missoula International Airport in Missoula, Montana.

53229 - George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

53403 - National Museum of the Pacific War at the Pacific Combat Zone in Fredericksburg, Texas. It is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.

53593 - National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

53804 - USS Lexington (CV-16) museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.

53842 - USS Yorktown (CV-10) at the Patriot's Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

53726 - Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in Miramar, California.

85890 - National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.

85957 - USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California. It is on loan from Sidney Summers in San Diego, California.

86123 - Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas.

91586 - Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, Long Island, New York. It is on loan from the Friends For Long Island's Heritage in Huntington, New York, sponsored by Mrs. William T. Schwendler.

91664 - NAS Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida.

91752 - Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Horseheads, New York.

Under restoration or in storage

TBF-1:

01741 - for static display at the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum at the former Naval Air Station DeLand (now the DeLand Municipal Airport) in DeLand, Florida.

05997 - for static display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

24085 - in storage at the Paul Garber Facility of the National Air and Space Museum in Silver Hill, Maryland.

TBM-3E:

53914 - for static display at Commemorative Air Force (Airbase Arizona) in Mesa, Arizona.

85597 - to airworthiness at Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

85715 - in storage by private owner in Holts Summit, Missouri.

91598 - in storage at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

TBM-3U: 91188 - based at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida. Damaged after a shallow water ditching in Florida during Warbirds on Parade display.

Specifications (TBF Avenger)

Crew: 3

Length: 40 ft 1⁄8 in (12.195 m)

Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m)

Width: 19 ft (5.8 m) folded

Height: 16 ft 5 in (5.00 m)

Wing area: 490 sq ft (46 m2)

Airfoil: root: NACA 23015; tip: NACA 23009

Gross weight: 15,536 lb (7,047 kg)

Fuel capacity: Fuel 330 US gal (275 imp gal; 1,249 L) in three center-section integral tanks + 2x 58 US gal (48 imp gal; 220 L) droppable slipper tanks under outer wings, with provision for a jettisonable 275 US gal (229 imp gal; 1,041 L) bomb-bay ferry tank.; Oil 32 US gal (27 imp gal; 121 L)

Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2600-8 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,700 hp (1,300 kW)

Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller

Maximum speed: 278 mph (447 km/h, 242 kn)

Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn)

Range: 905 mi (1,456 km, 786 nmi) at cruise speed

Service ceiling: 22,600 ft (6,900 m)

Rate of climb: 1,075 ft/min (5.46 m/s)

Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.18 kW/kg)

Guns: 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) nose-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun (on early models) or 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wing-mounted M2 Browning machine guns; 1 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted M2 Browning machine gun; 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun

Rockets: up to eight 3.5-Inch (89 mm) Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets, 5-inch (127 mm) Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets or High Velocity Aerial Rockets

Bombs: Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg)(can consist of 4×500 lb bombs) of bombs or 1 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) Mark 13 torpedo or Mark 24 mine (Fido) acoustic homing torpedo

Bibliography

Drendel, Lou (2001). TBF/TBM Avenger Walk Around. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications.

Drendel, Lou (1987). "Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger". U.S. Navy Carrier Bombers of World War II. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. pp. 89–120.

Fletcher, R. G. (1995). Front Line Avenger Squadrons of the FAA. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK: R.G. Fletcher.

Francillon, René (1970). Grumman (Eastern) TBF (TBM) Avenger. Aircraft in Profile. Vol. 214. London: Profile Publications.

Geelen, Janic (1983). The Topdressers. Auckland: NZ Aviation Press.

Hove, Duane (2003). American Warriors: Five Presidents in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: Burd Street Press.

Jackson, B. R.; Doll, Thomas E. (1970). Grumman TBF/TBM "Avenger". Aero Series. Vol. 21. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers.

Jackson, B. R.; Doll, Thomas E. (1970). Supplement to Grumman TBF/TBM "Avenger". Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers.

Kinzey, Bert (1997). TBF & TBM Avenger in Detail & Scale. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications.

Pelletier, Alain (1981). Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger (in French). Paris: Editions Ouest-France.

Prange, Gordon William; et al. (Goldstein, Donald M.; Dillon, Katherine V.) (1983). Miracle at Midway. New York: Viking.

Scrivner, Charles L. (1987). TBF/TBM Avenger in Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications.

Skulski, Przemyslaw (1997). Grumman Avenger. Seria Pod Lupa (in Polish). Vol. 5. Wrocław, Poland: Ace Publications.

Thetford, Owen (1991). British Naval Aircraft since 1912. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd.

Tillman, Barrett (1979). Avenger at War. London: Ian Allan.

Tillman, Barrett (1999). TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing.

Treadwell, Terry C. (2001). Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing.

Wheeler, Barry C. (1992). The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings. London: Chancellor Press.

 

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[1]        Under the 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system in use at the time, the TB in the designation refers to its role as a torpedo bomber, F was assigned to aircraft built by Grumman, and M to those built by General Motors, G having already been assigned to the Great Lakes Aircraft Company previously.

[2]        The F4F-4 was the first version of the Wildcat to feature a Grumman innovation, the Sto-Wing. The Sto-Wing used a novel approach using a compound angle folding-wing that was unique to Grumman. It was a successful design that was later used on the F6F Hellcat and TBF Avenger.

Crewmen clean fuselage of Grumman TBF Avenger.

Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber undergoing engine maintenance.

Okinawa Campaign, U.S. Naval Gunfire Support, April-June 1945. U.S. Marine Corps TBF “Avengers” over the Pacific. Planes of a Marine torpedo bomber squadron seen through the escape hatch of a transport, en route to recently captured airfields on Okinawa. Photographed by Master Sergeant C.L. Jansson, 25 April 1945. Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. 

Okinawa Campaign, U.S. Naval Gunfire Support, April-June 1945. TBM “Avenger” from USS Block Island (CVE-106) flying over Yontan Airfield on West Coast of Okinawa, Ryukyus, May 20, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. 

Okinawa Campaign, U.S. Naval Gunfire Support, April-June 1945. TBM “Avenger” aircraft from USS Block Island (CVE-106) flying over Yontan Airfield on West Coast of Okinawa, Ryukyus, May 20, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. 

 Okinawa Campaign, U.S. Naval Gunfire Support, April-June 1945. TBM “Avenger” aircraft in flight from USS Suwannee (CVE-27), pilot, E.J. Halcin, on anti-submarine patrol during the 1st day of Okinawa operations, April 1, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Kenneth Bratton is pulled out of the gun turret of Air Group Commander Henry H. Caldwell's Grumman TBF Avenger by LT Julius "Julie" Briscoe, after raid on Rabaul, 5 November 1943. Photographer Paul Barnett was killed on the flight.

Grumman TBM Avenger of Torpedo Squadron VT-10 aboard USS Enterprise with machine gun holes in the wing following air-to-air combat with a Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 “Tony” fighter off Truk, Caroline Islands, 16 Feb 1944.

TBM Avengers warming up their engines on USS Lexington (CV-16) 1944.

AMM 2/c Loyce Deen is buried at sea in his TBF Avenger, the only crewman buried in his airplane. November 5, 1944.

Grumman TBM Avenger.

 TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) is launched from the hangar catapult on USS Yorktown (CV-10).

USS Bogue (CVE-9) at anchor at Bermuda, a pair of TBM Avengers on her flight deck testing their engines. Bogue wears Camouflage Measure 32, Design 4A. February 1945.

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver aircraft near completion at Canadian Car and Foundry in Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). Prior to the American entry into the Second World War, the Curtiss Aircraft Co. increased production of SB2C Helldiver naval aircraft by licensing construction to two Canadian companies - Fairchild Aircraft and Canadian Car and Foundry. Though the first flight of the prototype did not happen until December 1940, large-scale production had already been ordered on 29 November 1940. A large number of modifications were specified for the production model and the program suffered so many delays that the Grumman TBF Avenger entered service before the Helldiver, even though the Avenger had begun its development two years later. Nevertheless, production tempo accelerated with production at Columbus, Ohio and two Canadian factories: Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) which produced a total of 300 (under the designations XSBF-1, SBF-1, SBF-3 and SBF-4E) and Canadian Car and Foundry which built 894 (designated SBW-1, SBW-3, SBW-4, SBW-4E and SBW-5), these models being respectively equivalent to their Curtiss-built counterparts. A total of 7,140 SB2Cs were produced in World War II.

Grumman TBF Avenger.

TBM Avengers from USS Tulagi (CVE-72) in flight over Iwo Jima, 2 March 1945.

Grumman TBF-1 "Avenger" torpedo bomber during torpedo attack practice, 3 July 1942, with its Mark XIII torpedo entering the water. Height of drop: 125 feet. Aircraft speed 125 knots. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives 80-G-10528.

Grumman TBF Avenger (93) crash on aircraft carrier USS Hornet.

Okinawa Campaign, Pre-Landing Bombardment, March 28, 1945. A TBM “Avenger” aircraft returns to USS Essex (CV-9) after being hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire just before the Okinawa Invasion. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. 

Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, April 1945. Six USS Hancock (CV-19) TBM bombers fly near Okinawa, while supporting the invasion forces, 4 April 1945. 

TBM-3 of Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) off USS Hancock (CV-19) flies over ships of Task Force 58 during operations off Okinawa. Note the white stripe on the tail and starboard wing identifying the aircraft as a Hancock-based Avenger. VT-6 operated from USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the period November-December 1943, and was involved in the first night air-to-air engagement by carrier-based aircraft on 26 November. During the mission squadron skipper LCDR John Phillips and his crew downed two Japanese G4M bombers in the skies near the Gilbert Islands. VT-6 later operated from USS Intrepid (CV-11) during January-February 1944 and USS Hancock (CV-19) during March-August 1945. (US Navy photo)

 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger.

 Filmming of "On an Island with You," Anna Maria Island, Florida, circa 1948. "On an Island with You," is a 1948 musical romantic comedy directed by Richard Thorpe. It starred Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse, and Kathryn Beaumont.

 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger 

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

VT-11 Grumman TBF Avenger.

Avenger over Leyte in the Philippines.

Bogue Class Escort Carrier USS Croatan (CVE-24), port side surface view underway with some VC-19 TBF/TBM Avengers and F4F Wildcats on deck. 1943.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM (GM-built TBF) Avenger with Sto-Wing folding wings, folding its wings after landing aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, 1945. The geometric identification symbol on the wing shows that the plane was assigned to the USS Randolph (CV-15). U.S. Navy National Naval Aviation Museum photo NNAM.1996.488.021.003.

TBF-1 Avenger early in 1942. Note the red spot centered in the U.S. roundel and flag-inspired fin flash on the rudder, both of which were removed prior to the Battle of Midway to avoid confusion with Japanese insignia. US Navy photo.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber in flight in mid-1942. US Navy photo.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger is launched from the catapult of an aircraft carrier, probably an escort carrier. 1945. US Navy photo.

The U.S. Navy pilot of a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) awaits the "take off" signal aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10), circa late 1943. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15278 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

Future American President George H. W. Bush, in a TBM Avenger on the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto in 1944. U.S. Navy photo H069-13 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger dropping a torpedo in late 1942 or early 1943. From U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 15 February 1944.

 Seven Grumman TBM-3D Avenger bombers of night torpedo squadron VT(N)-90 flying in formation in January 1945. The squadron was part of Night Air Group 90 on the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). Note radar pods in right-side wings, and the distinctive tail insignia. US Navy photo.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3 Avengers and Curtiss SB2C Helldivers assigned to Carrier Air Group 83 (CVG-83) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) dropping bombs on Hakodate, Japan, in July 1945. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520989.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.II from 849 Naval Air Squadron based on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38), flying over an island in the Indian Ocean, circa 1944. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1739.

 A Grumman TBF-1C Avenger (s/n NZ2510) from No. 30 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force on the Turtle Bay strip at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, circa February 1944. This aircraft had been assigned to the RNZAF on 25 October 1943 and assigned to 30 Squadron (identification letter "J" for "Joker"). It was ferried from New Zealand to Espiritu Santo on 24 January 1944. It was then ferried to Bougainville and operated from Piva North airfield beginning in March 1944. It was damaged by flak on 25 March 1944 and made an emergency landing at the Green Island airfield. After repair it was returned to 30 Squadron on Bougainville. It was finally turned over to the British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville, New Zealand on 7 September 1945. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1742.

Grumman TBF Avenger.

Grumman TBF-1D BuNo 47670 with AN-APS-3 radar 3 November 1943. SDASM Archives.

Grumman XTBF-1 BuNo 2540 circa 1941. SDASM Archives.

 Lt. Charles E. Kerlee, USNR, steps down from the wing of a TBF after photographing the raid on Wake. Using two K-20 cameras, Kerlee squeezed in behind the pilot and stood for four hours to get his pictures. Circa October 6, 1943. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520610.

 Navy TBM pilots hurrying to their planes aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) for strike on Guam, circa July 6, 1944. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520857.

English: Three U.S. Navy pilots in front of a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber of torpedo squadron VT-11 on Guadalcanal in May 1943. The pilots are (l-r): Lt.(jg) George Gay, LCdr. W.L. Hamilton, and LCdr. F.L. Ashworth (CO VT-11). Lt. Gay was the sole survivor of VT-8 at the Battle of Midway. US Navy photo from official U.S. Navy "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons."

 Sub Lieutenant (A) W L Hughes, RNVR, of North Harrow climbing into his new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bomber with its wings folded prior to taking off on exercise at HMS SPARROWHAWK, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19924.

Grumman TBF-1 Avenger. July 1, 1943. Bureau of Aeronautics, U.S. Navy from U.S. Navy Naval Historical Center.

 Loaded with death-dealing weapons, U.S. Navy TBM Avengers circle over their carrier in the Pacific en-route to a battle mission against the Japanese. Planes of this type have been participating in U.S. naval actions which have driven enemy shipping back into home waters, July 30, 1944. National Museum of the U.S. Navy photo 208-MO-Box-22-K-33325-FN.

TBF Avengers of Air Group four, USS Essex (CV-9) Task Group 38.3, approaching the coast of French Indochina on their way to bomb and torpedo airfields and shipping in the Saigon area, 12 January 1945. US National Archives 80-G-300673.

 Four U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avengers from Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10) and eleven Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless bombers from Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10) fly in formation, with their parent aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) below, en route to strike Palau, on 30 March 1944. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) which operated from the deck of the Big E during the period from January to July 1944. Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-251053 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 A damaged U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82) "Devil's Diplomats" in flight after the plane above it in her formation was shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Chichi Jima and fell on this Avenger, breaking off the left wingtip and cracking the fuselage just ahead of the tail, circa 18 February - 4 March 1945. The damaged plane was flown by its pilot about 160 km back to its task group but had to crash land in the water. All crew members were rescued. VT-82 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 82 (CVG-82) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20). Note Bennington's geometric identification symbol on the Avenger. U.S. Navy photo NH 89380 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

TBM Avenger in flight near the American fleet anchored near the Marshall Islands, 1945. Dutch National Archives photo 900-7277.

The first U.S. Navy production Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber (BuNo 00373) in flight on 23 March 1942. The plane is in its carrier-landing attitude, with wheels, flaps, and tail hook down. The color scheme, standard from October 1941 until early 1943, consists of flat light gray undersurfaces with flat blue-gray sides and upper surfaces. "Circle-star-circle" National insignia are worn on fuselage sides and on upper and lower surfaces of both wingtips. Red and white rudder stripes were adopted at the end of December 1941 as an additional recognition marking. Both rudder strips and the red insignia center circle were removed from U.S. aircraft shortly after the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-403259 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM Avenger of Composite Squadron 68 (VC-68) in flight over the Pacific Ocean, in 1944. VC-68 was assigned to the escort carrier USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) from June to September 1944. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 175539974.

Two U.S. Marine Corps General Motors TBM Avenger of Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 233 (VMTB-233) in flight over Okinawa, Japan, in May-June 1945. VMTB-233 was assigned to Marine Carrier Air Group 1 (MCVG-1) aboard the escort carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106). Note that the second aircraft wears a aircraft recognition sign on it's tail fin, a white square with an blue "I". Originally it was a white "B" with an "I" (for "Block Island"). However, this had to be removed as the U.S. Navy feared that the Japanese so could identify the parent carrier. Note the white-painted hospital ship below. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Block Island (CVE-21) and (CVE-106) 1944-1946 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM-1 Avenger torpedo plane flies low over the flight deck of the escort carrier USS Makin Island (CVE-93), circa 1944-1945. U.S. Navy photo NH 94873 from Naval History and Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM-1C Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) takes off from the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) for a raid on Guam, 28 June 1944. The catapult operator is visible at right. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-238783 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF (or TBM) Avenger torpedo plane landing aboard the escort carrier USS Charger (CVE-30), during flight training operations in the Chesapeake Bay Area, 22 April 1944. Note the flight deck crewmen in the galleries and the ship's angular smokestack. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-1518 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20) lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16), in December 1944. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15629 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Lunga Point (CVE-94) noses into a ground swell as she turns into the wind to begin recovery operations off the Philippines, in January 1945. A Grumman TBF Avenger of Composite Squadron 85 (VC-85) flies over the ship. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Lunga Point (CVE-94) 1944-1945 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 60 (VT-60) in flight over the escort carrier USS Suwannee (CVE-27), circa in 1944. VT-60 was assigned to Escort Carrier Air Group 60 (CVEG-60) aboard the Suwannee from 18 October 1943 to 26 November 1944. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Suwannee (CVE-27) 1942-1945 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 9 (VT-9) drops supplies over a prisoner of war camp in Japan, circa in September 1945. VT-9 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16). Note Lexington's air group identification letter "H" on the wing. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Bennington (CV-20) 1944-1945 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger returning to the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19), not visible, circa in 1944. Hancock's air group identification symbol at that time was a horseshoe. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Hancock (CV-19) 1944-1946 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 4 (VT-4, side number 4-T-2) dropping a Mark XIII torpedo, 30 October 1942. This torpedo is fitted with a plywood tail shroud to improve its airborne performance. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-19189 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) in the Pacific Ocean, circa in late 1943. A New Orleans-class heavy cruiser is visible in the background. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-14769 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

Grumman TBF-1. SDASM Archives.

Fifteen U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger in flight over Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on 9 November 1943. A single Douglas SBD Dauntless is visible in the background. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 148728710.

Two U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers in flight, circa 1942.  U.S. Navy Naval Air Station Jacksonville website photo CNIC_042566.

Five U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avengers from Escort Scouting Squadron 29 (VGS-29) flying in formation over Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 1 September 1942. VGS-29 was established on 20 May 1942. It was redesignated Composite Squadron 29 (VC-29) on 1 March 1943 and Torpedo Squadron 29 (VT-29) on 1 December 1944. The squadron was disestablished on 1 August 1945. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520770.

Grumman TBF-1. SDASM Archives.

 A ASM-N-2 Bat missile is carried by a U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger. Note the folded tail fines which, when the BAT is released, would open into proper flight position. Circa 1945. Photo from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

 A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer giving a "high" signal to a Grumman TBF Avenger during the Second World War. From  U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 1 January 1945.

 A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer giving a "cut" signal to a Grumman TBF Avenger during the Second World War.  U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 1 January 1945.

 A Mark XIII aerial torpedo porpoises after being dropped by a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) during exercises, 30 March 1943. Note the two TBFs overhead, with the leading plane's torpedo bay doors open.  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-228118 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger, with Capt. Edward J. Steichen, head of the Navy's combat photography and director of the Naval Photographic Institute and Corp. William Damato aboard, on a photo mssion over Iwo Jima. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520733.

 U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers and Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers from Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) in flight. CVG-10 was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2007.084.001.281.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger aircraft of Torpedo Squadron VT-5 from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) fly over the site where squadron aircraft scored four direct hits on the Japanese destroyer Wakatake, sinking her in fifteen seconds 110 km north of Palau. March 30, 1944.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.488.024.051.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger from Escort Scouting Squadron 29 (VGS-29) flying over Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 1 September 1942. VGS-29 was established on 20 May 1942. It was redesignated Composite Squadron 29 (VC-29) on 1 March 1943 and Torpedo Squadron 29 (VT-29) on 1 December 1944. The squadron was disestablished on 1 August 1945. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520789.

 

TBF Avenger Aircraft of air group four, USS Essex (CV-9) task group 38.3, leaving the coast of French Indochina as they return to their carrier after strikes on the Saigon area, 12 January 1945. US Navy photo.

 A Grumman TBF Avenger flies over the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Marcus Island (CVE-77), circa in 1945. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Marcus Island (CVE-77) 1944-1945 cruise book.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avengers in flight over the escort carrier USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) and a destroyer circa 1945.  Official U.S. Navy photo UA 567.21 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger dropping a torpedo in late 1942 or early 1943. From  U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News 15 February 1944.

 A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer on board USS Card (ACV-11) guides a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1) to recovery on board the ship, 1943. In 1943 the Navy combined the former VGS (Escort-Scouting Squadron) and VGF (Escort-Fighting Squadron) into one. These VC (Composite Squadrons) consisted most often of Avengers and F4F/FM Wildcat fighters and operated from escort carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific. VC-1 operated from USS Card and USS Block Island (CVE-21), sinking five German U-boats.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1061.

 TBF's flying in formation from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, January 1943. US National Archives and Records Administration NAID) 520767.

 The U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber during torpedo attack practice, 3 July 1942, with its Mark XIII torpedo entering the water. Height of drop: 125 feet (38 m). Aircraft speed 125 knots (230 kph).  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-10528 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger bombers during torpedo practice, circa 1942-43.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.253.1645.

 Two U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1C "Avenger" of Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2) pass over the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) prior to entering the pattern for recovery on board the carrier. Note the mission markings on the aircraft, as well as the white dot on their tails indicating assignment to USS Hornet. VT-2 operated from Hornet during that carrier's initial combat actions between March and September 1944. This included the "Mission Beyond Darkness" in the June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as strikes against the Palaus, Carolines, the Bonin Islands, New Guinea, and the Marianas.  U.S. Navy National Naval Aviation Museum photo NNAM.1996.253.1089.

 A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-131 Diamondbacks in flight in the Solomon Islands, 1943. Note that the wartime censor has tried to retouch the radar antennas below the wings.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1568.

 Eight U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger aircraft from Torpedo Squadron VT-10 fly past Mt. Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii (USA), 1943. VT-10 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6).  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2007.084.001.019.

 A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBM Avenger dropping 227 kg bombs over Okinawa, 1945.  U.S. National Park Service gallery WAPA 2910 Box 10 photo 127-GR-BOX 97-126465.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger flies over the escort carrier USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) on 14 June 1944. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-334948.

U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avengers of Torpedo Squadron 86 (VT-86) from the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) in flight in 1945. VT-86 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 86 (CVG-86) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) from 21 March to September 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo NNAM.1977.031.074.102.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3 Avenger of torpedo squadron VT-11 from the aircraft USS Hornet (CV-12) flies past three Japanese oilers burning in Cam Ranh Bay, Indochina (later Vietnam), on 12 January 1945. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520865.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-1 Avenger from Torpedo Squadron VT-26 over Panaon Island, Philippines. VT-26 was assigned to the the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) in 1944 and in July-August 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1357.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-1C Avenger from Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) flying over Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 30 May 1944. VT-51 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 51 (CVG-51) aboard the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) from late 1943 to December 1944.  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-238779 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBM-3 Avenger of Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron VMTB-332 pictured dropping supplies for Close Air Support Training out of Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1602.

 A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBM-3E Avenger of Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron 234 (VMTB-234) assigned to the escort carrier USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111), in flight, 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1597.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger of Torpedo Squadron VT-95 in flight over the aircraft carrier USS Antietam (CV-36) off Hawaii, in 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1559.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber of composite squadron VC-9 taking off from the escort carrier USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62) on 7 June 1945. The Natoma Bay had been struck by a Kamikaze plane earlier that day off Okinawa. Damage control people can be seen repairing the flight deck in the foreground. US Navy photo.

 Two U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bombers of composite squadron VC-84 fly over Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 16 April 1945. The planes were flying from the escort carrier USS Makin Island (CVE-93). Official U.S. Navy photograph NH 69420 from the Naval Historical Center.

Three U.S. Navy General Motors TBM-3 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in flight, in 1945. VT-6 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) from 9 March to 21 October 1945. U.S. Navy photo from the Carrier Air Group 6 1941-1945 cruise book.

A U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-4E Helldiver of Bombing Squadron 6 (VB-6) and three General Motors TBM-3E Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) fly over the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) during the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay, Japan, 2 September 1945. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) from 9 March to October 1945. The destroyer USS Lansdowne (DD-486) is alongside of Missouri. U.S. Navy photo from the Carrier Air Group 6 1941-1945 cruise book.

 A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBF-1 Avenger during a training mission out of Espiritu Santo, circa 1943-44. A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-40 Kittyhawk escort fighter is visible on the right.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1660.

 Ensign Hudson launches to attack U-544 and U-129, 16 January 1944. Upon his return to Guadalcanal he crashed his aircraft landing at night. A wing camera can be seen outboard of the rockets on the port wing. US Navy photo.

 The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) underway with Grumman TBF Avengers being launched. The photo was probably taken in late 1943 or early 1944, before Saratoga received her dazzle pattern camouflage in July 1944. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Columbia (CL-56) World War II cruise book.

U.S. Navy General Motors FM Wildcat and TBM Avenger aboard the escort carrier USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89), circa in 1944. Takanis Bay was commissioned on 15 April 1944. After shakedown, she operated out of San Diego, California (USA), with Fleet Air, West Coast, through the end of hostilities with Japan in mid-August 1945. She tested pilots for carrier operations, and between 24 May 1944 and 28 August 1945, she qualified 2,509 pilots. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89) 1944-1946 cruise book.

 George Bush in the cockpit of his TBM Avenger, circa 1944. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 186383.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3 Avenger aboard the escort carrier USS Bairoko (CVE-115), circa 1945. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Bairoko (CVE-115) 1946 cruise book.

 U.S. Navy flight deck crewmen load a Mark XIII torpedo on a Grumman TBM Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 82 (VT-82) for a strike on Japanese shipping aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20). The photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory on 5 May 1945. Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-4267 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

U.S. Navy flight deck crews aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) prepare to load a Mark XIII torpedo on a Grumman TBM Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 14 (VT-14), during strikes in the Luzon-Formosa area, 13 October 1944. Note the plywood shrouds on the torpedo's fins and nose.  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-298609 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 Close up view of the interior of the bomb bay of a U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger showing sonobuoys positioned for dropping in the event of an encounter with a German U-boat, 1943-1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.488.002.008.

 A plane director aboard the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109) uses arm signals to position a Grumman TBM Avenger bomber on the ship's starboard catapult, during operations off Kyushu, Japan, 8 September 1945. Flight deck crewmen are attaching a catapult bridle to the plane. Note rockets (probably 3.5-inch) mounted under the TBM's wing, and resting on the cart in the left center background. The TBM wears "G-symbol" air group identification markings.  Official U.S. Marine Corps photo USMC 20136542 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM-1C Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20) pictured after recovery on board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) on 10 October 1944. Note the flight deck crew removing the tailhook from the arresting wires so that the airplane can taxi forward. From 10–20 October, the carriers of Task Force 38 attacked targets on Okinawa, Formosa, and the Philippines.  U.S. Navy National Naval Aviation Museum photo NNAM.1996.253.1255.

U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-1C Avenger torpedo bombers from Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10) warming up on the after flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) during operations in the Pacific, circa May 1944.  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-1586 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Albert B. Cahn gives the take-off signal to a Grumman TBM-1C Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) aboard the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), during exercises on 16 May 1944.  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-238772 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

 Low quality photo of Grumman TBM-3E Avengers of Torpedo Squadron 17 (VT-17) and Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldivers of Bombing Squadron 17 (VB-17) on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) in April 1945. The aircraft of Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17) wear Hornet´s air group insignia on the tails and wings. 

 U.S. Navy ordnancemen on the flight deck of an unidentified escort carrier, prepare 12.7 cm High Velocity Aircraft Rockets (HVAR) and 227 kg bombs for loading onto Grumman TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bombers, circa 1944-45.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.488.002.005.

 A U.S. Navy Battle off Cape Engaño Grumman TBM Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) is armed with a Mark XIII torpedo aboard the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), during the Battle off Cape Engaño on 25 October 1944. The photo was probably taken before the squadron's planes attacked the Japanese carrier force. The torpedo is fitted with a wooden stabilizer around its tail and drag ring around its nose.  Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-284708 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

Rear cockpit and .50 caliber machine gun turret of the only survivor of six Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) Grumman TBF Avengers that had attacked the Japanese carrier force in the morning of 4 June 1942. Seaman 1st Class Jay D. Manning, who was operating the .50 caliber machine gun turret, was killed in action with Japanese fighters during the attack. Damage to the turret can be seen in this view. The plane's pilot was Ensign Albert K. Earnest and the other crewman was Radioman 3rd Class Harry H. Ferrier. Both survived the action. The plane (TBF-1, BuNo 00380) was photographed near the foot of the Sand Island pier, Midway, on 24 June 1942, prior to shipment to the United States for evaluation. Stenciled sign below the gun turret reads: "Do not stand on walkway when wing is being folded". The sign on panel in front of turret reads "Life raft comp." The ship in the left background is probably USS Ballard (AVD-10).  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-11635 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft in Hangar 3 at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine (USA), on 14 March 1944. British pilots were trained at NAS Brunswick from 1943 to 1945. Visible are Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers and Vought F4U-1 Corsair fighters. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 6254891.

 View of Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine (USA), on 22 March 1944. British pilots were trained at NAS Brunswick from 1943 to 1945. Visible are Grumman F4F/FM-1 Wildcat fighters, Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers and Vought F4U-1 Corsair fighters. A North American T-6 Texan/Harvard with U.S. markings is visible in the center. The aircraft on the left are damaged. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 6254888.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.I (serial JZ150) from 711 Naval Air Squadron in flight, circa 1943-45. 711 NAS was an operational conversion unit (OCU, training squadron) was based at Royal Naval Air Station Crail (HMS Jackdaw), Scotland (UK).  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1735.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger from 832 Naval Air Squadron on an aircraft carrier. In December 1942 832 NAS embarked on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious for Norfolk, Virginia (USA), where it was re-equipped with twelve Grumman TBF-1 torpedo bombers. In June 1943 the squadron embarked on the U.S. carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3), and transferred to HMS Victorious (R38) in July 1943. Both carriers supported U.S. troops in the Solomon Islands campaign until returning the UK (RNAS Hatston, Orkney) in September. In February 1944 the squadron was embarked on the aircraft transports HMS Athene and HMS Engadine for Katukurunda, Ceylon, where it arrived in April 1944. In May 1944, the squadron was assigned to the carrier HMS Illustrious (R87) for an attack on Surabaya (Netherlands East Indies), later transferring to the escort carrier HMS Begum (D38) until the squadron was disbanded in the UK, in February 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1733.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.I of 846 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm lands on the escort carrier HMS Trumpeter (D09), circa 1944. Note the carrier's SK-1 radar. Imperial War Museum photo A 24282.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.I from 846 Naval Air Squadron in flight with an open bomb bay, circa 1944-45. 846 NAS was assigned to the escort carrier HMS Trumpeter (D09) in 1944-1945 and mainly operated around Norway.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1737.

 Bombing up a Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.II aircraft of 832 or 845 Naval Air Squadron on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (87) sailing in the Indian Ocean in readiness for the raid on Soerabaya, Java, on 17 May 1944. The air strike against the Japanese held naval base was carried out by British, American, Australian, French and Dutch units. Several of the armourers are stood inside the aircraft's open bomb bay. Imperial War Museum photo A 24250.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.II (serial JZ 444) from 820 Naval Air Squadron, going over the edge of the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable (R10), in 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1732.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger Mk.II (serial JZ 578) from 849 Naval Air Squadron, after crashing on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38), in 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1738.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber (UK serial FN767) during the Second World War. From  U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News September 1979.

 A Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm landing on the flight deck of HMS Trumpeter. The arrestor hook is just about to make contact with the flight deck. Imperial War Museum photo A 25381.

 A Royal Navy Grumman Avenger from 845 Naval Air Squadron taking off from the escort carrier HMS Empress (D42) near Trincomalee, Ceylon, cicra 1945.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.253.1734.

 A Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm landing on, as seen from the side safety cockpits on board HMS RAVAGER. The arrestor hook is just making contact with the deck. Imperial War Museum photo A 21290.

 Striking study as a Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm lands on HMS Trumpeter and is arrested. The carrier's island and radar antennae can be seen in the background. Imperial War Museum photo photo A 24282.

A Grumman Avenger G of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm returning to HMS Trumpeter from the strike. (Empire No 62556/164072, Air Frame No FN 871). The successful strike against enemy shipping off the coast of Norway was carried out by aircraft from the escort carriers Trumpeter and Fencer. The members of crew can be clearly seen in the cockpit. Imperial War Museum photo A 26090.

 Six Royal Navy Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers in box formation during exercises from HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston (UK), circa 1943. Imperial War Museum photo A 19903.

Grumman TBM-3 Avenger Mk.II serial number JZ466. SDASM Archives.

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Avengers and Seafires line up on the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (R86) and warm up their engines before taking off. A destroyer is following the carrier, while a battleship is seen in the distance (upper right), 1945. Australian War Memorial photo 019037.

 The British escort carrier HMS Biter (D97) with one of her Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers in the foreground during convoy escort duty in the Atlantic, 1943/44, exact date unknown. Fleet Air Arm Museum photo.

 Anti-Submarine Weapons: A Mk XI aerial depth charge being loaded onto a Grumman Avenger aircraft on board the escort carrier HMS SHAH in eastern waters. Imperial War Museum photo A 27853.

 A Grumman Avenger of No 785 Naval Air Squadron at Crail Fleet Air Arm Station The torpedoes carried are hidden in the enclosed compartment of the belly of the aircraft. An idea of the size of the aircraft can be taken from the man stood by it. Imperial War Museum photo A 18237.

 A Grumman Avenger takes off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York. The aircraft is being tested before being packed and shipped to Britain for use by the Fleet Air Arm. Imperial War Museum photo A 19807.

 Six of the new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bombers in echelon formation during exercises from HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19904.

 Five new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bombers in beam formation during exercises from HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19906.

 A close up of the new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bomber in flight during exercises from HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19909.

 A new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bomber taxi-ing before its wings are spread at HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Three more of the aircraft are parked nearby. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19913.

 A new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo-bomber taxiing with wings folded at HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. The pilot will open the wings on the way to the take-off point. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19914.

 Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bombers being serviced while an air ferry plane passes overhead in the distance. Imperial War Museum photo A 19915.

 Torpedoes being loaded into a squadron of eight new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bombers in preparation for a mock dawn attack at HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A 19916.

 Torpedoes being loaded into a squadron of Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bombers in preparation for a mock dawn attack at HMS Sparrowhawk, Hatston, Orkney. The aircraft still have their wings folded. Imperial War Museum photo A 19918.

 Sub Lieutenant (A) K F B Petrie, RNZNVR, of Christchurch, New Zealand, climbing into his new American built Grumman Avenger three-seater torpedo bomber with its wings folded prior to taking off on exercise at HMS Sparrowhawk, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo A19925.

 Black smoke rises as the fire is got under control after a Grumman Avenger crashed on the flight deck of HMS Tracker whilst on Russian convoy duty. Imperial War Museum photo A 22864.

 The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable, with Grumman Avenger planes on deck, seen from the top of a large crane as she enters the basin from the Loch on her way to No 2 Dry Dock at Rosyth Dockyard. Imperial War Museum photo A 23377.

 A Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being catapulted off HMS Trumpeter. Imperial War Museum photo A 25377.

 A Grumman Avenger of 852 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm landing on the flight deck of HMS Fencer. Imperial War Museum A 26133.

 A Grumman Avenger taking off from the escort carrier HMS Empress. Imperial War Museum photo A 26466.

 An unusual sight in a crowded harbor in the far east. A Grumman Avenger bomber of the Royal Navy launched into the air from the flight deck of HMS Ameer. Pilots call this method of getting air-borne being "squirted" off. Imperial War Museum photo A 27964.

 A wet few minutes before rescue for the crew of a Grumman Avenger after it had landed in the sea when its engine failed on leaving the carrier HMS Smiter during the operations against Sakishima in support of the American landing on Okinawa. Imperial War Museum photo A 29167.

 A Grumman Avenger of 857 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm returned from one of the strikes against the Sakishima Islands and landed on with only one wheel down to make an almost perfect landing on board HMS Indomitable. The aircraft was only slightly damaged. These operations were in support of the American invasion of Okinawa. Imperial War Museum photo A 29171.

 Three Grumman Avengers flying over the battleship HMS King George V and other units of the British Pacific Fleet when on the way to attack Sakishima targets in support of the American landing on Okinawa. Imperial War Museum photo A 29174.

 A Grumman Avenger crash landed on a carrier, its undercarriage damaged by Japanese gunfire. The pilot was unhurt. Imperial War Museum photo A 29713.

 Six carrier-borne Grumman Avengers of the British Pacific Fleet flying over Royal Navy ships whilst the aircraft were on their way to bomb Japanese targets. Imperial War Museum photo A 29724.

 Rear Admiral Harcourt Commander-in-Chief Hong Kong, returning the salute of the Guard of Honour on the flight deck of HMS Indomitable his old flagship before she left Hong Kong. Grumman Avengers, with their wings folded and cockpits covered can be seen in the background. Imperial War Museum photo A 30845.

HMS Victorious and Implacable seen above Avenger and Chance-Vought Corsair aircraft of HMS Formidable as the ships turned into position. At this time the three aircraft carriers were operating off the shore of Japan. Imperial War Museum photo A 30193.

 Grumman aircraft packed for shipping to the Royal Navy, October 1943. Imperial War Museum photo A 19782.

The sole surviving U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger (BuNo 00380, side number 8-T-1) of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) on Midway's Eastern island, shortly after the Battle of Midway, on 24 June 1942.  U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photo 80-G-11637.

Picture of the only survivor of six Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) Grumman TBF "Avengers" that had attacked the Japanese carrier force in the morning of 4 June 1942. Seaman 1st Class Jay D. Manning, who was operating the .50 caliber machine gun turret, was killed in action with Japanese fighters during the attack. The plane's pilot was Ensign Albert K. Earnest and the other crewman was Radioman 3rd Class Harry H. Ferrier. Both survived the action. The plane (TBF-1, BuNo 00380) was photographed near the foot of the Sand Island pier, Midway, on 24 June 1942, prior to shipment to the United States for evaluation.  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-1706 from  Naval History and Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger catching the wire aboard the escort carrier USS Long Island (ACV-1) in late 1942 or early 1943.  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-66735 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 Landing of a U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger on the escort carrier USS Card (ACV-11) on 9 December 1942. US Navy photo.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger after making a bad landing on the escort carrier USS Card (ACV-11) on 9 December 1942. US Navy photo.

 A TBF Avenger operating out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, probably around August or September, 1942. USMC photo.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger from Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10) prepares for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942. The sign visible beyond the plane's landing gear reads "PROCEED WITHOUT HORNET", indicating Enterprise´s strike is not to wait to join up with a strike being launched by the USS Hornet (CV-8). The sign to the left reads "JAP 'CV' SPEED 25 AT 0830" (Japanese aircraft carrier, speed 25 knots, at 0830°). U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 1996.488.005.001.

 A damaged U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger of torpedo squadron VT-10, Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10), on deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). The aircraft had been flown by Cliff Largess and is shown following a crash landing after the plane was damaged over Hollandia, New Guinea, in a friendly fire incident with an F6F Hellcat. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2007.084.001.219.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avengers from Torpedo Squadron 28 (VT-28) aboard USS Monterey (CVL-26) preparing for take off for a bombing mission over Tinian Island, the nearest Japanese held island to Saipan in the Marianas in June 1944. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 520587.

Battle for Iwo Jima, TBF plane on airstrip, 3 March 1945. Photographed by Private Bob Campbell, March 3, 1945. US National Museum of the U.S. Navy photo 127-GW-301-112456.

Battle for Iwo Jima, February-March 1945. Marine Avenger torpedo bombers were the first planes to fly regularly scheduled missions from newly-captured Motoyama #2 airstrip on Iwo Jima. The 4th Marine Air Wing torpedo planes fly night and day anti-submarine patrol in defense of the strategic island only three air hours from Japan. US National Museum of the U.S. Navy photo 127-GW-301-118160.

Controlling the Air and Sea – Marine Avenger torpedo bombers receive their loads of depth bombs on Motoyama, Airfield No.2, Iwo Jima. From the new Marine won base, the Avengers maintain a 24 hour schedule of patrols keeping the skies and sea free of enemy raiders. US National Museum of the U.S. Navy photo 127-GW-301-121678.

TBM mail plane prepares to take off from Nan Yuan Airfield, Peiping, China, operating base of MAG 24, on daily run to Tientsin. Operations building and tower in background. 10 December 1945. US National Archives 176250446 official USMC photo 127-N-226330.

Patches -- Nearly 400 holes and it still flies. This Marine Torpedo Bomber was hit by flying shrapnel March 8th, when the Japs started throwing shells into the Air Strips on Bougainville. the plane was repaired and ready to fly the next morning. Bougainville, 1st MAW. March 9, 1944. US National Archives.

VERSATILITY IS ONE OF THE MARKS of the TBF, or Marine Torpedo Bomber, shown here as it takes off against the jungle background of a Bougainville air strip. Either carrier or land based, it drops both torpedoes and bombs with equal accuracy. Bougainville, 1st MAW. US National Archives.

Japanese destroyer Akikaze maneuvering while under air attack off Truk, 17 February 1944. Note wakes, indicating that she is following the motions of another ship, and strafing splashes in the water. Her wake has her deck awash amidships. A Grumman TBF is overhead. Photographed from a USS Intrepid (CV-11) plane.  Naval History and Heritage Command photo.

Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945. Navy carrier planes fly in formation over the U.S. and British fleets in Tokyo Bay during surrender ceremonies. USS Missouri (BB-63), where the ceremonies took place, is at left. USS Detroit (CL-8) is in the right distance. Aircraft include TBM, F6F, SB2C and F4U types. US National Museum of the U.S. Navy photo 80-G-421130.

 U.S. Navy aircraft of Carrier Air Group 4 (CVG-4) on deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) during operations in the North Atlantic on 29 June 1943. In front are Grumman TBF-1 Avengers from Torpedo Squadron VT-4, followed by Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats from Fighting Squadron VF-41 Red Rippers; Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless from Bombing Squadron VB-41 Tophatters are parked on the end of the flight deck. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 196197.

View of the flight deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) with aircraft of Carrier Air Group 16 (CVG-16) landing, in November 1943. Crewmen in the foreground are sitting on the wing of a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless of Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16), as a Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of Fighting Squadron 16 (VF-16) lands and a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) taxis to a parking place on the forward flight deck. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15290 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

View of the flight deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) with aircraft of Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) warming up, circa in November-December 1943. Visible are 18 Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5), 17 Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless of Bombing Squadron 5 (VB-5) and seven Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5).  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15092 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bombers and Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters (right and aft) of Carrier Air Group 50 (CVLG-50) on the deck of the light aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29) in 1944.  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo NNAM.1996.253.1441.

A TBF Avenger taking off with the aid of 330 horsepower jet-assisted unit in about half the normal run. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 295602.

 View of a U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger that made a water landing next to the light cruiser USS USS San Juan (CL-54), circa in 1944. U.S. Navy photo from the USS San Juan (CL-54) World War II cruise book.

A damaged Grumman TBF Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 80 (VT-80) in flight over the South China Sea, in January 1945. VT-80 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 80 (CVG-80) aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). U.S. Navy photo from the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) 1944-1945 cruise book.

A Grumman TBF-1 Avenger (BuNo 00380, coded 8-T-1) from Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8), soon after returning to Naval Air Station Midway from the morning strike against the Japanese fleet in the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. The TBF flown by Ensign Bert Earnest was the sole surviving plane of 21 aircraft of VT-8 on that day. Earnest landed the damaged plane on one wheel at Eastern Island, Midway Atoll.  U.S. Navy photo NH 102559 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

 A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF Avenger flown by Ensign Carroll L. Farrell of Torpedo Squadron Ten (VT-10) from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) pictured after ditching in the water just outside Truk Lagoon, 30 April 1944. The pilot and his crew are in the raft near the aircraft. Farrell and his crew were later rescued by the submarine USS Tang (SS-306).  U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2007.084.001.114.

 U.S. Navy Douglas SBD Dauntless and Grumman TBF-1 Avenger ready for takeoff from an escort carrier on training duty, circa mid-1943. The flight deck officer is in left center, while chock men stand ready to pull chocks on his order. Note the yellow training unit markings, and the red-bordered national insignias on the planes. Official U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-2615 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command.

3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rockets being loaded on a TBF Avenger aboard the escort carrier USS Core.  U.S. Navy photograph 269073 from U.S. Navy Historical Center.

A U.S. Navy General Motors TBM Avenger of Composite Squadron 6 (VC-6) is launched from the escort carrier USS Tripoli (CVE-64). VC-6 was assigned to the Tripoli from April to December 1944. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Tripoli (CVE-64) 1943-1945 cruise book.

U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBF Avengers warming up at Piva North Airfield (Piva Uncle), Bougainville Island, in February 1944. Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 233 (VMTB-233) operated TBFs from Piva North Airfield from 17 January to 2 March 1944. US National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 74237127.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger from Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 26 March 1942, with Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats in the background from what is probably Fighting Squadron 72 (VF-72).  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-12233 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

A U.S. Navy of U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TBF-1 Avenger is serviced at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, 16 September 1943. On that date, the mentioned Munda airfield had been captured by U.S. forces. By that time, the TBF was mainly operated on Henderson Field by Torpedo Squadron 11 (VT-11) and Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 143 (VMTB-143).
Original caption: "Guadalcanal Navy and Marine Airman Play Decisive Part in Munda Capture. The daily bombings of Munda Point by U.S. Navy and Marine airmen, based on Guadalcanal, played a vital part in the Allied capture of that Japanese stronghold in the central Solomons. Based on Guadalcanal, 175 miles away, Grumman Avenger (TBF) torpedo bombers and Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers pounded the enemy base daily with 1,000 to 2,000 pound bombs, and made destructive raids on enemy shipping in the area. Army, Navy, and Marine fighter pilots brought down 358 Japanese planes during the air offensive against Munda. Caption: Servicing an Avenger. Man of the ground crew at Guadalcanal airfield fuel a Grumman Avenger before it takes off for the daily attack on Munda Point. U.S. Navy Photograph, September 16, 1943.  U.S. Navy photo LC-Lot-801-34 from National Museum of the United States Navy.

A U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger (BuNo 00564) on the elevator of the escort carrier USS Long Island (AVG-1), in 1942. The plane is from an escort scouting squadron (VGS).  U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15225 from Naval History & Heritage Command.

The second U.S. Navy Grumman XTBF-1 Avenger prototype (BuNo 2540) at the NACA Langley Research Center, in 1942. NASA photo EL-1997-00264.

The Japanese light cruiser Isuzu taking a torpedo hit via a TBF-1 Avenger flown by Lt(jg) E.F. Ternasky flying from USS Lexington (CV-16), Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, 4 December 1943.