TBF Avenger Facts
The United States TBF Avenger torpedo bomber was first introduced to service in order to provide a replacement for the TBD Devastator bomber. The aircraft was designed by Leroy Grumman and would carry a pilot, radioman/ventral gunner/bombardier, and a turret gunner. They used a large bomb bay that made the aircraft an outstanding ground support bomber when carrying bombs vice torpedoes. Due to the advanced radio gear, the aircraft also served as great choice for a recon aircraft during the war.
Over the course of World War 2, the TBF Avenger was employed at the Battle of Midway, Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, and were flown by former U.S. President, George H.W. Bush who received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her service on September 2nd, 1944.
TBF Avenger General Information
Contents
Role Torpedo bomber
Date 1942
Source: Official USN photograph
Manufacturer Grumman
General Motors
First flight 7 August 1941
Introduction 1942
Retired 1960s
Status Retired
Primary users United States Navy
Royal Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Number built 9,839
TBF Avenger Specifications
TBF-1
Machinery One Wright R-2600-8 radial engine rated at 1,700hp
Armament 3×7.62mm machine guns, 1x900kg torpedo or 900kg of bombs
Crew 3
Span 9.99 m
Length 9.99 m
Height 5.00 m
Wing Area 45.52 m²
Weight, Empty 4,580 kg
Weight, Loaded 7,214 kg
Speed, Maximum 445 km/h
Rate of Climb 9.99 m/s
Service Ceiling 7,132 m
Range, Normal 1,600 km
Range, Maximum 1,950 km
TBM-3E
Machinery One Wright R-2600-20 radial engine rated at 1,900hp
Armament 2×7.62mm machine guns, 3×12.7mm machine guns, 1x900kg torpedo or 900kg of bombs
Crew 3
Span 9.99 m
Length 9.99 m
Height 5.00 m
Wing Area 45.52 m²
Weight, Empty 4,787 kg
Weight, Loaded 8,117 kg
Speed, Maximum 430 km/h
Rate of Climb 9.99 m/s
Service Ceiling 9,174 m
Range, Normal 1,600 km
Range, Maximum 1,950 km
TBF Avenger World War 2 Video
TBF Avenger Production Versions
XTBF-1: Two prototypes, R-2600-8 engine
TBF-1: initial production version similar to second prototype; A total of 2,291 produced excluding prototypes but including -1Bs and -1Cs
TBF-1B: variant for British with minor differences: initially designated Tarpon TR.Mk 1,395 conversions during WW2.
TBF-1C: as TBF-1 but maximum fuel capacity increased from 335 to 726 gallons with two wing drop tanks and bomb bay ferry tank, two 0.5-inch wing guns
TBF-1CP: Conversions of TBF-1C with trimetrogen reconnaissance cameras in fan to give wide coverage
Date 1943
Source U.S. Navy photo from chinfo.navy.mil in the collection of the National Archives (80-G-K-15278).
Author Lt. Charles Kerlee, USNR; Originally uploaded to en.wikipedia by Felix c
TBF-1D: Conversion with RT-5/APS-4 radar in wing pod: TBF-1CD similar conversion of TBF-1C
TBF-IE Conversion with special radar and additional avionics
TBF-1J: Conversion for Arctic operations, including a high-capacity cockpit heater, bad weather avionics and lighting, and special ice protection
TBF-1L: Searchlight on retractable mount extending from bomb bay. Searchlight was ultimately removed since it made the aircraft a better “target.”
TBF-1P: TBF-1 conversion, as TBF-1CP
XTBF-2: Conversion of TBF-1 No. 00393 with 1,900 hp XR-2600-10 engine
XTBF-3: Two x TBF-1s completed with engine installation of TBF-3
General Motors TBM’s
TBM-1: similar to TBF-1: total produced: 550
TBM-IC: similar to TBF-1C: total produced: 2,336
TBM-1D/E/J/L/P: similar to corresponding TBFs
TBM-2: Conversion of TBM-1 No, 24580 with XR-2600-10 engine
XTBM-3: Conversions of four TBM-1Cs with R-2600-20
TBM-3: Major production model with R-2600-20 engine and outer wing drop tanks or rockets: total produced during WW2: 4,657
TBM-3D: Conversion with APS-4 radar on right
TBM-3E: Conversions with strengthened structure and RT-5/APS-4 radar in pod under right wing
TBM-3E2: Updated TBM-3E with extra avionics
TBM-3H: Conversions with surface-search radar
TBM-3J: Conversions as TBF-1J
TBM-3L: Conversions as TBF-1L
TBM-3P: Photo-reconnaissance conversions, differing from TBF-1P
TBM-3U: Conversions for utility and target towing
XTBM-4: 3 x new-build aircraft with redesigned wing with different fold system and re-stressed to 5g maneuvers, production of 2,141 TBM-4 which was cancelled at VJ-Day
Post War Variants of the TBF Avenger
TBM-3M: Conversions for missile launching
![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. Date January 1945 Source www.cv6.org [1] Author William T. Barr, photographers mate, USN](https://www.worldwar2facts.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/TBM_VT-90_CV-6_Jan1945.jpg)
Date January 1945
Source www.cv6.org [1]
Author William T. Barr, photographers mate, USN
TBM-3N: Conversions (1945/46) for special night attack missions
TBM-3Q: Various rebuilds for post-war ECM and EW research and combat duty with prominent additions on belly, cockpit, fin and in some cases wings for reception and/or jamming
TBM-3R: Conversions for seven passenger or cargo transport in at least three configurations, all without guns and with door on right
TBM-3S: Major post-war conversion program for ASW strike, most being further updated as TBM-3S2 with TBM 3E2 avionics
TBM-3W: Major post-war conversion program for AEW (radar picket) duty with APS-20 radar, no armament and extra fins; most updated as TBM-3W2 with upgraded displays for two rear operators and other changes
British Designations for the TBF Avenger
Avenger Mk 1: TBF-1B: total 402
Avenger Mk II: TBM-1; total 334
Avenger Mk III: TBM-3; total 222
Avenger AS.Mk 4: post-war TBM-3S: total 100
TBF Avenger References
“Lost Patrol,” Naval Aviation News June 1973, 8-16, by Michael McDonell, last accessed 30 March 2013.
1945 dated manual AN-01-190EB-1 Pilots Handbook of Flight Operating Instructions Navy Model TBM-3 Airplane, last accessed 30 March 2013.
The Avenger, acepilots.com, last accessed 30 March 2013.
