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".

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RNZAF TBF-1C Avenger torpedo plane nicknamed "Plonky", then attached to 30 Squadron, based at Piva, Bougainville, during 1944. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: August 2007

Historical Account: "Storm in the Pacific" - The Bougainville campaign was fought from November 1st, 1943 to August 21st, 1945 on and around Bougainville Island in the South Pacific between the Empire of Japan and Allied forces. At that time, Bougainville was part of the Australian territory of New Guinea, although geographically it was a member of the Solomon Islands chain. The Bougainville campaign was, therefore, part of both the Allied New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns. Bougainville was occupied by Japanese forces in 1942, who constructed naval air bases at Buka in the north and Buin in the south, as well as a naval ship base in the nearby Shortland Islands. The Japanese bases provided security for their major base at Rabaul, New Britain and supported their forces operating at other locations in the Solomon Islands.

As part of the latter stages of Operation Cartwheel, Allied forces intended to establish air bases on Bougainville to assist in the isolation and neutralization of Rabaul. In November 1943, US Marines landed at Cape Torokina on Bougainville and established a beachhead within which the Allies constructed three airfields. The Marines were later replaced by US Army soldiers in January, 1944. Afterwards, the Army was replaced by Australian Militia troops in October 1944. The campaign ended with the surrender of Japanese forces in August 1945. (courtesy: Wikipedia)