Grumman TBM3E Avenger

Grumman TBM3E Avenger Chief torpedo-bomber of the Pacific War in 1942-45, the Avenger typifies carrier-based aircraft produced by Grumman - featuring generous wings, amiable handling and such strength that the company was colloquially known as "The Iron Works".

Chief torpedo-bomber of the Pacific War in 1942-45, the Avenger typifies carrier-based aircraft produced by Grumman - featuring generous wings, amiable handling and such strength that the company was colloquially known as "The Iron Works".

First flown on the 1st August 1941, the Avenger was designed in an intensive five week period by Grumman's chief experimental engineer, Bob Hall.  
 
Working to tough US Navy requirements, the aircraft featured an internal weapons bay, gun turret, a rear defensive gun position and a crew of three.  
 
A door on the right side aft of the wing admitted into the rear fuselage, packed with equipment, flares, parachutes and ammunition.  
 
At the lower level the bombardier was provided with a folding seat from which he could either man the lower rear machine gun, or face forward and aim the aircraft for medium-altitude level bombing.  
 
There was no problem for the pilot, who sat in lofty state in a roomy and comfortable cockpit above the leading edge, where his view was perfect. 
 
On its first combat mission six new Avengers thundered off into the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Only one came back, and that had the pilot flying a shattered aircraft on the trimmers, one crewman injured and the other dead. Despite this inauspicious start, the Avenger was to become one of the great war-winners of World War II. 

Photo Album | Inside the Grumman TBM3E Avenger's Cockpit

© NZFPM

© NZFPM

 
Among the aircraft allocated by the USA under the ’Lend Lease’ system, New Zealand gained two squadrons of Grumman Avengers. Originally designed as torpedo bombers, they were used by the RNZAF as dive bombers by Nos. 30 and 31 Squadrons, who initially trained at Gisborne, before deploying to Piva, Bouganville.  
 
Secondary roles played by the Avengers included the spraying of Japanese gardens with diesel oil, and target drogue towing. In all, 48 Avengers were allocated to the RNZAF, but before the war ended over half of these were handed over to either the US Navy or the Royal Navy’s Pacific Fleet, both of which were suffering from aircraft shortages. 
 
Aerial topdressing of New Zealand’s marginal lands was first postulated by a New Zealand farmer in 1926, but the idea met with scepticism. During and after World War II, trials were carried out, and in 1947 the RNZAF was asked to carry out further trials of aerial seed sowing and topdressing. The Air Board agreed and allocated a Grumman Avenger aircraft, with a specially fitted auxilliary petrol tank converted into a hopper which was installed in the bomb bay. It was loaded to carry 2240 lb of fertiliser. 
 

About this Example

 

Photo Album | Grumman TBM3E Avenger

© NZFPM

 
The Avenger operated by the Alpine Fighter Collection was purchased from the Duxford, England based Old Flying Machine Company in 1992.  
 
The aircraft was built at the Trenton, New Jersey, factory of General Motor’s Eastern Aircraft Division in 1945, US Navy serial Bu.91110. Taken on strength in July of that year, it is known to have served with VA-22 in the United States.  
 
After surplussing, it was operated in California for many years as a sprayer, before passing through two American owners to the OFMC. 
 
This aircraft is painted to represent "Plonky" - an Avenger operated in the Pacific by a well known New Zealand aviator, Mr Fred Ladd, who, after the war, started Fiji Airways before opening Tourist Air Travel Limited with a Widgeon amphibian. 
 

Departure Notes

This aircraft left the Alpine Fighter Collection during 1999. It was sold to Randal McFarlane and flown to Australia. 
 

Specification and Profile

Length: 40' 11.5" Height: 16' 5" Wingspan: 54' 2" Empty Weight: 9,810 lb Gross Weight: 17,600 lb Maximum Speed: 252 mph Service Ceiling: 30,100' Range: 1,010 miles Powerplant: One Wright R2600-20 Double Cyclone 1,900 hp 14 cylinder radial Armament: Two fixed forward firing 0.50in machine guns One .50in machine gun in rear turret One flexible .30in machine gun in ventral position External: 2,000 lb of bombs, torpedos or depth charges