Grumman
TBF Avenger (General Motors TMB Avenger)
Technical Information
Background
The TBF Avenger replaced the TBD Devastator as the torpedo plane used by the U.S. Navy. Standard Navy torpedo
bomber of the war. It was a large, slow, plane with demanding
pilot controls. But, it could take an enormous amount of damage,
had a low stall speed and was easy to fly. It could be armed with with either a single aerial torpedo or
bombs inside an internal bomb bay. Famous for their role during the Battle
of Midway, where
only one of six Avengers survived an attack on the Japanese fleet.
General Motors TBM Avenger
Many Avengers were manufactured by General Motors / Eastern Aircraft
Division under the designation TBM Avenger.
Production
A total of 9,836 were built
2,290 TBF Avengers built by Grumman
7,546 TMB Avengers built by General Motors
Technical Details
Crew Three (pilot, gunner, radio)
Engine 1
x Wright R-2600-20
Span 54'
2"
Length 40'
11"
Height 16'
5"
MaximumSpeed 276
mph
Range 1,010
miles
Armament (wings) 2 x .50 cal MG (turret) 1 x .50 cal MG (ventral)
1 x .30 cal MG
Bombload up to 2000 lbs. of
weapons (bombs or aerial torpedo)