The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM [1] for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American World War II-era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.

At altitudes of 2,000 to 5,000 feet, the TBM-3W could detect a plane flying 500 feet above the water at a range of about 75 miles. The cramped aircraft had room for a pilot and a single radar operator, whose scope was linked to those of surface ships by a VHF radio link.

Dec 3, 2022 · In addition only eight Avenger Mk.3W2 (TBM-3W) were converted. In 1954 the admiralty however voted for its retirement and gradual replacement by the more tailored, roomier, long range Grumman S-2 Tracker for North Atlantic patrols.

Despite losing five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of World War II. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960’s. Design and Development 2. The Douglas TBD Devastator, the U.S. Navy’s main torpedo bomber introduced in 1935, was obsolete by 1939.

The TBM-3W2 was externally identical to the TBM-3W but had radar optimized for sub-hunting, as well as other avionics updates. About 160 TBM-3W2 conversions were performed, with numbers of them provided to Canada, France, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Once aloft, the TBM-3W could detect a plane flying 500 feet above the water at a range of 75 miles—and a battleship at a distance of some 200 miles. The cramped TBM-3W could carry only one radar operator, in addition to the pilot.

Jul 11, 2018 · The Eastern TBM-3W Avenger was an airborne early warning radar aircraft developed during the Second World War but that only entered service in May 1946. Work on airborne warning radar began early in 1942 at the Radiation Lab at MIT (Project Cadillac).

The kamikaze threat to U.S. carriers led to the TBM-3W AEW variant, fitted with AN/APS-20 long-range search radar to provide early warning of air attacks. Marines flew Avengers from shore bases and from escort carriers.

May 10, 2024 · Possessing a heavy engine and a sturdy airframe, the "TBF" was the main torpedo bomber that soared in the skies during the latter half of the Pacific War. This is a combination of the W-type that was mounted with a radar for patrolling and the S-type that was designed for anti-submarine strikes.

Oct 8, 2018 · TBM-3W Cadillac I. The U.S. Navy, in 1944, under the threat of Kamikaze attack, ordered the development of a radar system that could be carried aloft in an aircraft.

The Grumman TBF Avenger is the well-remembered, massive WW2 US Navy torpedo bomber of the USN. It was also at the time the largest and heaviest single-engine aircraft of the war. It forged an enviable reputation as the main stick of the fleet carrier force in 1942-45, insturmental in the Pacific Campaign.

First aircraft to be equipped with the effective General Electric AN/APS-20 Search Radar (March 1945). The TBM-3W worked in concert with the TBM-3S to form the "Hunter-Killer Team" which was employed in anti-submarine warefare so successfully near the end of WW-II and thereafter.

Sep 16, 2022 · Seven Grumman TBM-3D Avenger bombers of night torpedo squadron VT(N)-90 flying in formation in January 1945. The squadron was part of Night Air Group 90 on the carrier USS Enterprise.

Range and radius are based on flight test fuel consumptiŒ1 mcreased by TBM-3W 15 1919 .

Aug 27, 2021 · Grumman’s Avenger torpedo bomber—the biggest single-engine airplane of World War II and the last of its breed—made a huge contribution to Allied victory. Two General Motors–built TBM-3Es from the National Museum of World War II Aviation fly near the museum’s base in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Paul Bowen Photography)

Jul 29, 2020 · A passenger transport was developed as the TBM-3R. An anti-submarine warfare mount became the TBM-3S while the TBM-3U was a multi-role platform and target tow vehicle. The TBM-3W was fitted with APS-20 radar in a belly radome for anti-submarine work.

TBM-3S 1+ TBM-3 / -3E, major re-builds as ASW strike aircraft, no rear turret. 98 of the 125 in service (1950-1960) with the RCN designated as Avenger AS.Mk. 3 and AS.Mk. 3M .

Grumman's portly TBF Avenger (built by Eastern Aircraft as the TBM) was the most important American torpedo-bomber of World War II. Big, noisy and powerful, the Avenger flew from carrier decks and spanned vast Pacific distances to attack the Japanese Navy with its torpedo or bombs.

One of the largest single engine aircraft of WWII, it was also the first of that type to carry an electrically operated gun turret. When production finally ended in 1945, a total of 9,836 Avengers had been built.

The Eastern TBM-3W Avenger was an airborne early warning radar aircraft developed during the Second World War but that only entered service in May 1946. Work on airborne warning radar began early in 1942 at the Radiation Lab at MIT (Project Cadillac).