The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was an American torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and used by a large number of air forces around the world. It entered service in 1942, and began major use during the Battle of Midway.

The Avenger had a large bomb bay, allowing for one Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 torpedo, a single 2000 lb (900 kg) bomb, or up to four 500 lb (230 kg) bombs. Torpedoes were generally abandoned after Midway and were not carried again regularly until after June of 1944, when improvements mandated their use again. By that time, it was rare for American aircraft to encounter enemy shipping at sea and the Avenger was primarily employed as a ground support weapon. The plane had overall ruggedness and stability, and pilots say it flew like a truck, for better or worse. With a 30,000 foot (10,000 m) ceiling and a fully-loaded range of 1,000 miles (1,600 km), it was better than any previous American torpedo plane, and better than its chief opponent, the then obsolete Japanese Nakajima B5N "Kate".

Shown here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Royal Canadian Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo plane that was operated by 826 Squadron during 1950. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: April 2010

Historical Account: "Avenging Angels" - After WWII, the RCN (Royal Canadian Navy) needed a replacement for their old Fairey Fireflies so they purchased 125 former USN TBM-3E Avengers. Between 1950 and 1952, these aircraft arrived in the same dark blue paint scheme used by the USN with only the USN symbols being painted over. By this time the RCN had signed the 1949 NATO agreement designating the RCN to an ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) specialty. All sorts of modifications were made to 98 of the Avengers from electronic updates to structural alterations in an effort to make them more suited for the purpose. In the end, reality set in and the Avengers were replaced by the S-2 Tracker with its longer range and greater payload capacity. This along with it having a second engine greatly increased the safety factor when on long-range patrols over the North Atlantic.

By 1957, the Avengers had been assigned training duties and by July 1960 had been officially retired. Aircraft 53322 was delivered to the RCN 826 Squadron located at RCNAS, Shearwater, Nova Scotia in May 1950 and on September 29th, 1956, while assigned to the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent was lost in an accident with the pilot being rescued. During WWII, 826 Squadron was designated part of the Royal Navy and even after the war had ended. However, in May 1951, the 826 Squadron was renumbered 881 Squadron (RCN) and the 826 designation was returned to the RN. (courtesy: Hobbymastercollector.com)