INDEX OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT |
Grumman TBF Tarpon (Grumman TBF Avenger) |
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The prototype flew on 1 August, 1941. The first production models, manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. and designated TBF, were completed on 3 January, 1942. Grumman built a total of 2,293 TBF Avengers between 1942 and December 1943. Grumman production ceased at that time, and Eastern Aircraft, Division of General Motors, built 2,882 of this model, designated TBM, and over 4,600 of the TBM-3 which had a larger engine and strengthened wings to carry rocket projectiles.
The Avenger rapidly displaced the obsolete Devastator aboard US carriers,
and from the
Guadalcanal landings in August 1942 until the end of the PacificWar
it remained the only shipboard torpedo aircraft of the US Navy. Whilst
the Avenger largely replaced the Fairey Barracuda from 1944-1945 particularly
in the Pacific Theatre.
The Avenger operated as a bomber, and as a search and anti-submarine aircraft, rather than as a torpedo-plane. As a torpedo-plane it was initially hampered by the many serious defects in the American torpedoes. Moreover the crushing losses inflicted on their torpedo squadrons at the Battle of Midway left the United States Navy with little confidence in aerial torpedo attack, confidence which was only regained with the success of the Avengers at the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
With the demand of Avengers exceeding the capacity of the Eastern Division of Grumman, General Motors was contracted as a second source of supply. Avengers with the designation TBM-1 and TBM-1C were built from September 1942 with a total of 7546 being delivered before the production lines were closed in June 1945. Of these early versions from General Motors, some 334 TBM-1s were supplied to the Royal Navy and designated Avenger MkII.
Delivery of the TBM-3 began in April 1944 with the Royal Navy receiving 222 aircraft which were subsequently designated Avenger MkIII. Wartime Avengers were used by the Royal Navy until June 1947.
In 1953, the Royal Navy began acquiring anti-submarine warfare versions of the Avenger under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP). These aircraft were designated the Avenger AS Mk IV or AS Mk V, and were used in the ASW role until the introduction of the Fairey Gannet in 1955.
Avengers were also exported under MDAP to France, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. In all, 48 Avengers were allocated to the RNZAF, but before the war ended over half of these were handed over to either the US Navy or the Royal Navy's Pacific Fleet, both of which were suffering from aircraft shortages.
The Avenger finally retired in 1962 from the Fleet Air Arm. A total of 9,839 had been built.
In civilian life the Avenger found a useful role as a fire bomber and many are still in use in Canada.
Versions
Deld
8.42 then to British TA sqdn Quonset Point 11.42, and 845 sqdn Quonset
Point from
2.43 (FN750). First 34 all to British TA sqdn Quonset Point 11.42-4.43.
Most 2.43 to 845.
First sqdn 832 sqdn 1.43
(FN752). Most deld 2.43 to 845 sqdn
201 Grumman TBF-1b and TBF-1c Avenger 1 under Contract
no LL91367
Serial Numbers: JZ100-JZ300
Deld
South Africa 11.43 (JZ101), 850 sqdn 9.43 (JZ103) at Squantum
Last RN:
JZ105 RNARY Donibristle to Belfast 2.46, JZ152 FCAS Croydon to CS(A) charge
11.47, Gosport dump 7.52
226 Grumman TBM-1 and TBM-1c Avenger II under Contract
no Nos-98837
Serial Numbers: JZ301-JZ526
Deld
E Flt RAE 10.43 (JZ313)
Sqdn
JZ316 738 sqdn at Lewiston, USA 9.43; 787 sqdn at Wittering 9.44 (JZ304),
JZ309 to
798 sqdn at Lee on Solent 9.44, 744 sqdn at Maydown on 10.44 (JZ303)
108 Grumman TBM-Ic Avenger III under Contract No.Noa(S)228
Serial Numbers: JZ527-JZ634
Deld
3.44 to 820, 856 and 853 eg jz527
Last RN
Many in sqdn till end of WWII. JZ622 RNARY Donibristle to Renfrew 1.46
for
dumping at sea from a carrier. JZ587 in 857 sqdn 11.47
86 Grumman TBM-3 Avenger TB III under Contract No.Noa(S)228
Serial Numbers: JZ635-JZ720
Deld
1.44 C sqdn A&AEE. Most later, tested RNARY Coimbatore 6.45
First sqdn
1.45 787 sqdn at Tangmere
Last RN
Many into 1946 eg JZ638 from 8.46 at 778 sqdn at Ford. Trials in HMS Vengeance
22.1.47 of JZ695. 11 sqdn aircraft flown from Schofields to HMS Implacable
2.5.1946 , stripped and ditched eg JZ674 and JZ682
26 Grumman TBM-3E Avenger III under Contract No.Noa(S)228
Serial Numbers: JZ721-JZ746
Completed 5.45-6.45 no evidence of delivery to RN
50 Grumman TBM-3E Avenger TB III under Contract No.Noa(S)228.
Serial Numbers: KE430-KE479.
Only 22 shipped to the UK Arrived TOC Roosevelt Field 7.45
60 Grumman TBM-3E Avenger III under Contract No.Noa(S)228
Serial Numbers: KE480-KE539
All cancelled and undelivered
70 Grumman TBM-4 Avenger IV under Contrract No.Noa(S)228
Serial Numbers: KE540-KE609
All cancelled
10 Grumman TBM-1 and TBM-1c Avenger under Contract
No.Noa(S)228 .
Serial Numbers: Vl401-Vl410.
Reconditioned aircraft to UK 31.7.45, all received at Lockheed AAU, Renfrew, then to storage
30 Grumman TBM-1, TBM-1c and TBM-3 Avenger under Contract
No.Noa(S)228.
Serial Numbers: Vl432-Vl461.
Reconditioned aircraft to UK 31.7.45, all received at Lockheed AAU, Renfrew, then to storage
20 Grumman Avenger under Contract No.Noa(S)228.
Serial Numbers: Vl475-Vl494.
Reconditioned aircraft. Not delivered
10 Grumman TBM-1, TBM-1c and TBM-3 Avenger under Contract
No.Noa(S)228.
Serial Numbers: Vl501-Vl510.
Reconditioned aircraft to UK 31.7.45, all received at Lockheed AAU, Renfrew, then to storage
6 Grumman TBM-1c and TBM-3 Avenger under Contract No.Noa(S)228.
Serial Numbers: Vvl994-Vl999.
Reconditioned aircraft, reported as being delivered to Sydney in HMS Reaper 9.45
25 TBF-1 loans to 832 sqdn (HMS Victorious) from US Navy
USN to RN at Pearl Harbor 5.3.43 , 832 sqdn on 23.4.43 (eg BuAer number 05996). Most returned to US Navy at San Diego 3 June 1943.
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INSERT PHOTO HMS ILLUSTRIOUS AND AVENGER OF BPF
On 4 January 1945 Avengers from 849 squadron flying from HMS Victorious took part in Operation Meridian I in the attack on Pangkalan Brandon. On its return to the ship Avenger Z383 flown by Sub Lt BJ Smith made the ship's 3,000th deck landing.
Tarpon
II, JZ525, 849 Squadron, HMS Victorious Flown against Pangkalan Brandan
refinery, January 5, 1945
The Fleet Air Arm Avengers were also given light relief duties, Avenger FN882 flown by Sub Lt JAL Alldread of 849 squadron was called upon to destroy an escaped barrage balloon at St Merryn on 18 july 1944. The duty was not without mishap and the Avenger was damaged by the exploding balloon.
The Avenger was also adept at destroying German U-Boat submarines, a total of 45 were sunk by the Allies in 1939-1945, 10 by British and Commonwealth aircraft.
See also the U-Boat net for statistoics of U-Boats sunk by the Avenger 1939-1945
Among the aircraft allocated by the USA under the 'LendLease' system, New Zealand gained two squadrons of Grumman Avengers. Originally designed as torpedo bombers, they were used by the RNZAF as dive bombers by 30 and 31 squadrons, who initially trained at Gisborne, before deploying to Piva, Bouganville. Secondary roles played by the Avengers included the spraying of Japanese gardens with diesel oil, and target drogue towing.
US Avenger profile
The Avenger had a significant combat record with the US Navy. Whilst flying from land bases, the TBF saw its first combat duty of 4 June, 1942 at the Battle of Midway against the Japanese carrier striking force at the Battle of Midway - only six Avengers were involved, operating from Midway Island. They were forced to attack against overwhelming odds, and five of the six were shot down, the surviving plane returning to Midway severely damaged and with its gunner dead.
In the types final tally by the Allies, the Avenger included sinking six Japanese transports in one day by aircraft from a single squadron; sinking of the world's largest battleships - the Musashi and Yamato; shooting down 98 aircraft in aerial combat; and sinking 45 German U-Boat submarines in the Atlantic.
However, most wartime Avengers are preserved in the USA. American examples include National Museum of Naval Aviation (USA), Planes of Fame Air Museum (USA), Pima Air & Space Museum (USA), and the Lone Star Flight Museum (USA).
Avengers are also in private collections, including Grumman TBM3E Avenger Bu.91110 (ex Old Flying Machine Company, UK, ex Alpine Fighter Collection NZ) operated by Randal McFarlane at Toowoomba in Australia.At least one wreck has been recovered in the UK, a wreck was recovered from Holbeach Range, Sutton Bridge (UK).
The wreck was of JZ569 of 787 squadron which flew into the ground at Holbeach Range on 5 August 1944, its pilot Lt AJ Dundas was killed. Parts were recovered from Sutton Bridge marshes in 1976.
Fleet Air Arm Museum: Avenger XB446
TBM-3E Avenger Serial No 91110 VH-TBM NZ2618 operated
by Randal McFarlane at
Toowoomba in Australia (acquired April 1999) fromFlying
Legends Collection (Australia).
SURVIVING COMMERCIAL AVENGER TBMs IN THE 21st CENTURY
AVENGER WATER BOMBING IN ACTION (1999-2000)
The TBM Avenger
Tanker lineup at Miramichi Airport. 1 July, 2000
Avenger TBM waterbombing Canada 2000
The Avenger is still used commercially in Canada. The first Avengers to be operated in the Water Bomber role, appeared in New Brunswick in 1958. A fleet of six Avengers with four reserve aircraft continue to operate in 2000. The civilian fire fighting Avenger outlasting its military role easily without an end in sight. one of the operators is the New Brunswick Forest Protection Limited, are under contract to the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy (DNRE). The company's main operating base is located at Miramichi Airport (formally CFB Chatham).
Avenger TBM waterbombing Canada 2000
Also see the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy website on TBM Avengers fighting New Brunswick forest fires and the website TBM Avengers protecting New Brunswick's Forests by Fire Department WebMaster
Avengers photographed at Winnipeg 1975, of Conair of Abbotsford, British Columbia, which were used for the forest spray programme. The TBMs were all sold to Forest Protection Limited of Fredericton, NB (Canada).
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Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000
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