Grumman TBM Avenger

Background

The Avenger first flew in August 1941. This was the first of two XTBF-1's ordered by the US Bureau of Aeronautics in April 1940. The first prototype (BuNo2539) crashed in November 1941, but the second (BuNo2540) began testing in December 1941. The aircraft went into production in 1942. 9839 Avengers were built (2293 by Grumman, and 7546 by General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division). Originally intended as a three seat torpedo-bomber, 24 variants of the aircraft (along with modifications) were eventually built before it was replaced in USN service by the Douglas Skyraider. The aircraft was adopted by a number of other Air Forces (FAA, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Uruguay), and also had civil use (particularly as a water bomber).

The RNZAF operated 48 TBF-1 aircraft (NZ2501-2548) in the period 1943-1959. NZ2501-NZ2506 were TBF-1 models, and the remainder were TBF-1c's. The aircraft operated with No's 30 and 31 SQNs in a divebombing and spraying role, and as drogue-towers. In the post-war period they mainly operated as drogue-towers by No's 41 and 42SQN's, although they were also used in top-dressing trials. By the end of WWII the RNZAF had only 12 Avengers, the remainder having been passed to the USN (16 aircraft) and FAA (9 aircraft). Of the twelve, six were sold for scrap in 1948, and two lost in accidents (in 1949 &1956).

Four RNZAF Avengers survive:

NZ2504 (c/n 5219, BuNo24336) is still with the RNZAF, having been an intructional airframe (INST182), and Gate Guardian (Base Te Rapa). It is now on display as NZ2521 in the RNZAF museum (see images below)
NZ2505 (c/n 5220, BuNo24377) was sold by the RNZAF in 1960, having been in storage for some time. The aircraft spent some time in a playground in Opunake before being bought by the Silverstream Transport Museum in 1973. The aircraft was reacquired for the RNZAF Museum in 1987, where it provided spares for the restoration of NZ2504. Having spent some time in storage as a possible swap-item, the aircraft was loaned in October 1999 to the Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society. The aircraft is now at Dalton Field and is undergoing further restoration.
NZ2527 (c/n 5625, BuNo47859) was passed to Bennett Aviation in May 1959, and subsequently to Barr Brothers. Intended for top-dressing work, it was registered as ZK-CBO but never used. ZK-CBO was the only ex-RNZAF Avenger to appear on the New Zealand civil register. The aircraft later become a playground toy. The aircraft was removed from Kuirau Park, Rotorua in the 1970's where it was derelict. Although held by MoTaT, for many years it was on display with the CAF (16 Wing) at North Shore aerodrome. Today it is back in storage at MoTaT.
NZ2539 (c/n 5782, BuNo48016) is with a private collector (Ken Jacobs) in Auckland.

One further Avenger has been based in New Zealand. The AFC imported a TBM-3E (BuNo91110, ex N6827C) previously operated by the OFMC, in 1992. This was registered ZK-TBM (pictured below) and operated from Wanaka until April 1999. The aircraft was sold to Randall MacFarlane and flown to Australia, departing on May 5 of that year for its new base at Toowoomba. More information on this aircraft can be found here.

Last Update:- 28 March, 2000

Technical Data

Accommodation : 3 (Pilot, Radio Operator/Gunner, Bombardier
Dimensions
- Span : 16.5m (54'2ft) / 5.8m (19'0ft) folded
- Length : 12.2m (40'1/8ft)
- Height: 5m (16'5ft)
Weight
- empty : ?
- max : 7,053kg (17,600lb)
Power Plant : 1700hp Wright Cyclone R2600-8
Performance

max speed : 445km/h (278mph)
max climb : 1,075ft/min (376m/min)
ceiling : 22,600ft (6,890m)
range : 1450km (905miles)