TBM Avenger Bomber Aircraft

In the late 1930’s the United States Navy began searching for a replacement for the Douglas Devastator. The search ended when Grumman presented the XTBF-1 prototype to the U.S. Navy. The large, powerful radial engine fit well into the barrel-shaped fuselage signature to Grumman aircraft of that era. The requirement for a three person crew to deliver the mass amounts of weaponry, was accommodated by increasing the wing and fuselage length. Production of the TBF Avenger began in 1941 and by June of 1942 the United States Navy flew these planes into combat during the Battle of Midway.

Former President George Bush Sr. was shot down by the Japanese while flying an Avenger during World War Two. Their huge popularity presented a problem for Grumman and they had to contract much of the production out to General Motors Corporation. Grumman completely ceased production of the Avenger in December of 1943 and General Motors continued production. Of the 9836 Avengers built, 7546 came off of the assembly lines of General Motors. These Avengers built by General Motors were designated TBM’s.

Variants of the Avenger were very easy to produce since the changes were very minor such as the TBF-1C’s which added 0.50 guns in each wing and the TBM-3W that replaced armaments in the bomb bay with a large radome. The ease at which Grumman and General Motors could adapt the Avenger allowed for production to remain fast as different variants were designed. Much of the Avengers notoriety came when five of these planes disappeared from radar and never heard from again while flying through the Bermuda Triangle. The final Avengers rolled off of the General Motors assembly lines in June of 1945.

The Fighter Factory’s 1945 TBM-3E Avenger was originally built as an anti-submarine variant. Its first tours with the Unites States Navy were in Norfolk, Virginia with VS-22, FASTRON-3 and VS-801. Squadron VS-801 was moved to Miami, Florida and Avenger 53454 followed south. Soon after this move, the Navy sent the TBM-3E to Monterey air base and Palau air base in the Pacific Islands. When the Avenger returned to the United States, it was briefly stationed in Norfolk again and quickly moved to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. The U.S. Navy released this aircraft on April 12, 1956 with only 1,227 hours logged.

Civilian duty for TBM Avenger 53454 began in Boise, Idaho where it was used as an air tanker. During the mid 1980’s the plane headed back to Florida where it was on display in Corpus Christie until 1992. Six years later it was sold once again and the restoration process began in East Troy, Wisconsin. The Avenger made it to several airshows during 2000 and was finally purchased by the Fighter Factory and delivered in January of 2001. The plane is currently painted in the light gray and white design used by aircraft that flew missions over the Atlantic Ocean. The TBM-3E Avenger requires the pilot to posses a special type rating in order to be flown. Since its brief stay at the Fighter Factory, the rear gun turret has been restored back to working condition and the plane is scheduled to attend several airshows along the east coast in the coming year.

Photos of our
1945 TBM Avenger Aircraft.