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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.
Further pictures:
Technical data on the Grumman TBF-1C Avenger |
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Powerplant | 1 × Wright R-2600-8 14 cylinder radial, rated at 1700 hp (1267.33 kW) | Role during war |
| |
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 |
| 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:
| Torpedoes/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 |
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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 |
| 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:
| Torpedoes/rockets |
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Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:
Different versions of the Grumman TBF Avenger |
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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+ |
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.
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