General Background

The TBF/M "Avenger" was the biggest single engine aircraft during the WWII. She was ordered into production in Dec 1940 with first delivery just in time for the Battle of Midway. The "Avenger" was characterized by its rigid and strong body and its versatilities. She started out as a torpedo bomber but it soon took the duties as a close-support bomber, a patrol aircraft and even a trainer. After the war the Avenger was also used as crop dusters and forest fire water bombers.

The Aircraft

The Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm was the major user of the Avengers other than the United States during World War II was the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The British originally called the aircraft the “Tarpon”, but this was changed to “Avengers” and they served in fourteen squadrons of the Royal Navy.

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 7,546 being delivered. Of these early versions from General Motors, some 334 TBM-1s were supplied to the Royal Navy and designated Avenger MkII.