The Grumman Avenger is an American torpedo bomber.
The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway.
Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective and widely used torpedo bomber of World War II, sharing credit for sinking the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi and being credited for sinking 30 submarines.
Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.
Variants
Grumman TBF
XTBF-1
Prototypes each powered by a 1,700 hp (1,300 kW) R-2600-8 engine, second aircraft introduced the large dorsal fin.
TBF-1
Initial production model based on the second prototype.
TBF-1C
TBF-1 with provision for two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) wing guns and fuel capacity increased to 726 US gal (2,748 l).
TBF-1B
Paper designation for the Avenger I for the Royal Navy.
TBF-1D
TBF-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
TBF-1CD
TBF-1C conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
TBF-1E
TBF-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
TBF-1J
TBF-1 equipped for bad weather operations
TBF-1L
TBF-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBF-1P
TBF-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBF-1CP
TBF-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
XTBF-2
TBF-1 re-engine with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.
XTBF-3
TBF-1 re-engine with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.
TBF-3
Planned production version of the XTBF-3, cancelled
General Motors TBM
TBM-1
as TBF-1.
TBM-1C
as TBF-1C.
TBM-1D
TBM-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
TBM-1E
TBM-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
TBM-1J
TBM-1 equipped for all weather operations
TBM-1L
TBM-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBM-1P
TBM-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBM-1CP
TBM-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBM-2
One TBM-1 re-engine with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.
XTBM-3
Four TBM-1C aircraft with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.
TBM-3
as TBM-1C, double cooling intakes, engine upgrade, minor changes. (4,011 built)
TBM-3D
TBM-3 conversion with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
TBM-3 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBM-3M
TBM-3 conversion as a Tiny Tim rocket launcher.
TBM-3N
TBM-3 conversion for night attack.
TBM-3P
TBM-3 conversion for photo-reconnaissance.
TBM-3Q
TBM-3 conversion for electronic countermeasures, retained gun turret.
TBM-3R
TBM-3 conversions as seven-passenger, Carrier onboard delivery transport.
TBM-3S
TBM-3 conversion as an anti-submarine strike version.
TBM-3U
TBM-3 conversion as a general utility and target version.
TBM-3W
TBM-3 conversion as the first ship based airborne early warning control and relay platform with AN/APS-20 radar in ventral radome.
XTBM-4
Prototypes based on TBM-3E with modified wing incorporating a reinforced centre section and a different folding mechanism.
TBM-4
Production version of XTBM-4, 2141 on order were cancelled.
Royal Navy Avenger
Tarpon GR.I
RN designation of the TBF-1.
Avenger Mk.II
RN designation of the TBM-1/TBM-1C.
Avenger Mk.III
RN designation of the TBM-3.
Avenger Mk.IV
RN designation of the TBM-3S.
Avenger AS4
RN designation of the TBM-3S, 100 delivered post-war
Royal Canadian Navy Avengers
Avenger AS3
Modified by RCN for anti-submarine duty, dorsal gun turret removed.
Avenger AS3M
AS3 with magnetic anomaly detector boom added to rear fuselage
Avenger Mk.3W2
Similar to TBM-3W, with large ventral radome.
Specifications
Crew
3
Length
40 ft 1⁄8 in (12.195 m)
Wingspan
54 ft 2 in (16.51 m)
Width
19 ft (5.8 m) folded
Height
16 ft 5 in (5.00 m)
Wing area
490 sq ft (46 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 23015
Tip
NACA 23009
Gross weight
15,536 lb (7,047 kg)
Fuel capacity
Fuel 330 US gal (275 imp gal; 1,249 l) in three centre-section integral tanks
+
2x 58 US gal (48 imp gal; 220 l) droppable slipper tanks under outer wings, with provision for a jettisonable 275 US gal (229 imp gal; 1,041 l) bomb-bay ferry tank.
