The Grumman TBF Avenger

United States of America
United States of America

Sorry, No ID pictures yet

The name Avenger says a lot about when the aircraft was ready to be used: just after the attack on Pearl harbor. The name was added only after the attack took place; the first operational TBF entered service in januari 1942, less than a month later.
The first operations weren't all too encouraging, however, but as the skill of the crews began to increase, and the initial flaws were ironed out of the design, the Avenger performed very well. It operated almost all over the world in numerous battles. Ironically enough, after the war the Avenger was also used in the Japanese Navy.

Version list:

Further pictures:

Grumman TBF Avenger in full flight
Grumman TBF Avenger in full flight

 

Technical data on the Grumman TBF-1C Avenger
Powerplant 1 × Wright R-2600-8 14 cylinder radial, rated at 1700 hp (1267.33 kW) Role during war
  • Light Bomber
  • Torpedo Bomber
  • U-boat Destroyer
  • Maritime/Coastal patrol reconnaissance Bomber
  • Anti-shipping Aircraft
Length 40 ft 9 inch Height 13 ft 9 inch with the tail down
Empty weight 10080 lb Operational weight 15905 lb typical
Wing Span 54 ft 2 inch unfolded, 19 ft 0 inch folded Wing Aspect ratio 4.99
Wing Area 490 sq ft Service ceiling 21400 ft
Maximum speed 257 mph at 12000 ft Cruising speed 153 mph at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate Climb to 10,000 ft in 13 min 0 sec Range 1105 miles typical,
2685 miles max
Fuel capacity internal 279 Imp gal (335 US gal) plus provision for 229 Imp gal (275 US gal) in jettisonable weapons bay tank Fuel capacity external 97 Imp gal (116 US gal) in 2 underwing drop tanks
Machine guns
  • 2 × 0.50 inch Browning M2 fixed forward-firing in wing leading edge, 600 rounds each
  • 1 × 0.50 inch Browning M2 trainable rearward-firing in dorsal turret, 400 rounds
  • 1 × 0.30 inch Browning M2 trainable rearward-firing in ventral postion, 500 rounds
Cannons -
Bomb load Up to 2,500 lb carried in a lower fuselage weapons bay rated 2,000 lb, and on two underwing hardpoints rated at 250 lb. General loadout:
  • 1 × 1,600 lb bomb in weapons bay, or
  • 1 × 1,000 lb bomb in weapons bay, or
  • 4 × 500 lb bombs in weapons bay
Torpedoes/rockets
  • 1 × 22 inch Mk 13-2 torpedo in weapons bay in stead of bomb(s)
  • 8 × 5 inch HVAR rockets
Crew 3: pilot, navigator/ventral gunner, radio operator/dorsal gunner Naval or ground based Naval
First flight (prototype) 1 August 1941 Operational Service May 1942 - April 1966
Manufacturer Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation Number produced 9.836 total, 764 this version
Metric system
Length 12.42 m Height 4.19 m with the tail down
Empty weight 4572 kg Operational weight 7215 kg typical
Wing Span 16.51 m unfolded, 5,79 m folded Wing Aspect ratio 4.99
Wing Area 45.52 m² Service ceiling 6523 m
Maximum speed 414 km/h at 3658 m Cruising speed 246 km/h at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate Climb to 3050 m in 13 min 0 sec Range 1778 km typical,
4321 km max
Fuel capacity internal 1268 liters plus provision for 1041 liters in jettisonable weapons bay tank Fuel capacity external 439 liters in 2 underwing drop tanks
Machine guns
  • 2 × 12,7 mm Browning M2 fixed forward-firing in wing leading edge, 600 rounds each
  • 1 × 12,7 mm Browning M2 trainable rearward-firing in dorsal turret, 400 rounds
  • 1 × 7,62 mm Browning M2 trainable rearward-firing in ventral postion, 500 rounds
Cannons -
Bomb load Up to 1.1134 kg carried in a lower fuselage weapons bay rated 907 kg, and on two underwing hardpoints rated at 113 kg. General loadout:
  • 1 × 726 kg bomb in weapons bay, or
  • 1 × 454 kg bomb in weapons bay, or
  • 4 × 227 kg bombs in weapons bay
Torpedoes/rockets
  • 1 × 559 mm Mk 13-2 torpedo in weapons bay in stead of bomb(s)
  • 8 × 127 mm HVAR rockets

Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:

Different versions of the Grumman TBF  Avenger
Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Built like the second prototype, this version ahd it's engine placed more forward than the original prototype to regain balance. Also a ventral tail fin was added to cure directional instabilities. After the second prototype proved it could fly, the TBF-1 was rushed into production and service, for all the US had were Douglas TBD Devastators, which were hopelessly outclassed at the time.
The TBF-1 was powered by 1 × Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone 14 cylinder radial, rated at 1,700 hp (1.268 kW), and had an internal fuel capacity of 279 Imp gal (335 US gal, 1268 liters). The span of the unfolded wings was 54 ft 2 inch (16,51 m), and folded was 19 ft 0 inch (5,79 m). The aspect ration was 5,99, and the area was 490 sq ft (45,52 m²). Length and height were 40 ft 0 inch (12,19 m) and 16 ft 5 inch (5,00 m) respectively. The wights of the TBF were empty 10,080 lb (4.572 kg), normal 13,667 lb (6.199 kg) and max loaded 15,905 lb (7.214 kg). The max level speed was 271 mph (436 km/h) at an altitude of 12,000 ft (3.660 m), cruising speed was 145 mph (233 km/h) at optimum altitude. The max range was 1,4550 miles (2.333 km) as a scout, typical range was 1,215 miles (1.955 km) as a torpedo bomber. It could initially climb 1,430 ft per minute (436 m), to a service ceiling of 22,400 ft (6.830 m).
Number built: 1.524
Grumman TBF-1B Avenger These aircraft were built and delivered to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease act
Number built: 402
Grumman TBF-1C Avenger This version had a revised forward firing armament, 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) forward firing guns. Also the fuel capacity was increased, resulting in a longer range. A lot of these furthermore received radar equipment, and rocket launchers, resulting in a number of subvariants.
Number built: 764
Grumman TBF-1CP Avenger Photo reconnaissance version of the TBF-1C
Number converted: unknown
Grumman TBF-1D Avenger Anti-submarine version of the TBF-1C, fitted with the ASD (Air-to-surface type D) radar and 8 rocket launchers. Some were additionally fitted with the ASB radar
Number converted: unknown
Grumman TBF-1E Avenger Anti-submarine version of the TBF-1C, fitted with the ASH (Air-to-surface type H) radar.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman TBF-1J Avenger Converted TBF-1 for Arctic operation, including a high-capacity cockpit heater
Number converted: unknown
Grumman TBF-1L Avenger Version fitted with a strong searchlight for ilumination of nocturnal surfaced submarines. The use of the light was quickly dropped, for it made a big Bullseye in the sky for the submarine's anti-air guns.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman TBF-1P Avenger Photo reconnaissance version with camera in weapons bay
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1 Avenger Identical to the TBF-1, but built by Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors
Number built: 550
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1C Avenger Like the Grumman built TBF-1C. this version had a revised forward firing armament, 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) forward firing guns. Also the fuel capacity was increased, resulting in a longer range. A lot of these furthermore received radar equipment, and rocket launchers, resulting in a number of subvariants.
Number built: 2.332
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1CP Avenger Photo reconnaissance version of the TBM-1C
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1D Avenger Anti-submarine version of the TBF-1C, fitted with the ASD (Air-to-surface type D) radar and 8 rocket launchers. Some were additionally fitted with the ASB radar
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1E Avenger Anti-submarine version of the TBM-1C, fitted with the ASH (Air-to-surface type H) radar.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1J Avenger Converted TBF-1 for Arctic operation, including a high-capacity cockpit heater
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1L Avenger Version fitted with a strong searchlight for ilumination of nocturnal surfaced submarines. The use of the light was quickly dropped, for it made a big Bullseye in the sky for the submarine's anti-air guns.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1P Avenger Photo reconnaissance version with camera in weapons bay
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3 Avenger Due to the increase in weight of the TBF-1C compared to the TBF-1 (2,750 lb, 1.247 kg), the 1C lost performance. This made it harder for the aircraft to operate from smaller escort carriers, thus a more powerful engine was needed.
When presented with two possible engines, the Wright R-2600-20 Cyclone 14 cylinder, rated at 1,900 hp (1.417 kW) was selected, even though the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp offered an extra 100 hp (74 kW). Because of the R-2600-20, the cowlings neede to be redesigned, and an oil-cooler was also installed in the lower lip. Furthermore was the Norden bombsight dropped in favor of an auto-pilot. Level bombing was useless anyway against maneuvering targets like evading ships. Also, the shallow dive bombing run was much more favoured and more effective against stationary targets, too
Only General Motors built the new version.
Number built: 4.657
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3D Avenger Converted in the same way as the TBF-1D, fitted with radar for the anti-submarine role. So,e aircraft received an additional serachlight under the portwing, and had their turret removed. The latter change necessitated a longer canopy
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3E Avenger This version had a longer fuselage (11.5 inch, 0,292 m), and had an APS-4 radar fitted. Several other changes were made to make the aircraft lighter, and additionally had provisions installed under the wings for 2 packs of 2 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) guns
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3E2 Avenger Post-war modernised version of the TBM-3E.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3J Avenger Like the TBF-1J, this was a winterised model.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3L Avenger Like the TBF-1L, this version had a retractable searchlight. Like the TBF-1L, it was retracted quickly
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3M Avenger Some aircraft were converted for use in missile and rocket test.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3N Avenger This version was a nocturnal torpedo bomber version. The dorsal turret was dropped, and in stead there was a radar operator's station situated under a lenghtened canopy
Number converted: 40+
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3Q Avenger This version wan meant for electronic countermeasures, to jam radar and radio of the enemy, together with the TBM-3W. This version had ECM. Although some 95 were ordered, only a few were delivered.
Number converted: a few
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3R Avenger Some TBM-3s were converted for Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD), and had accomodation for 7 passengers. Alternatively it could carry freight in the weapons bay, with use of a freight net.
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3S Avenger Post war development of an anti-submarine aircraft. It was stripped of all it's guns, and was fitted with a searchlight, specialised anti-submarine equipment, and a data-link
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3S2 Avenger Modernised version of the TBM-3S, with improved anti-submarine equipment
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3U Avenger Utility version of the TBM-3. It had no armament whatsoever, a crew of 2, and was mostly used in the target towing role
Number converted: unknown
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3W Avenger In 1944 the Radiation laboratory of the MIT in Massachusetts was developing an early-warning system, that could detect (low flying) aircraft at a range of 100 miles (161 km). The result was the APS-20 radar, carried by the TBM-3W The Avenger had a relay system to feed the data of the radar to the mother ship.
40 were ordered, and the first was delivered in March 1945. The crew of the TBM-3W consted of 2: pilot and radar operator.
Number converted: 36 - 40
Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3W2 Avenger The APS-20 of the TBM-3W was optimized so it could detect submarine snorkels
Number converted: 156+

Operational remarks:

During the Battle of Midway a small number of Avengers participated in the fighting, but the tactical skills to operate the aircraft optimally weren't yet developed. As a result 5 out of 6 aircraft were lost. Later, when the knowledge of how to use the Avenger grew, it performed outstanding.

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

 

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© by Frans Bonné, 2000
Last revision: 11/19/02