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
Fifty TBM-3 were delivered in 1953-4 to the Royal Netherlands Naval Air service and these were ex-planes from the US Navy. They were used as submarine 'killer' and some were deployed from the Dutch navy aircraft carrier “Karel Doorman”.
