NARRATIVE 

The TBF/TBM Avenger was designed to replace the Douglas Devastator as the U.S. Navy's primary torpedo attack aircraft. The prototype was first tested in August of 1941 and planes began to come off Grumman's Bethpage, Long Island production line the following January. In September 1942, due to an increasing wartime demand, the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors also began producing the Avenger, designated the “TBM,” and most of the Avengers built during WW II rolled out of Eastern's Trenton, New Jersey facility. A total of 9,839 aircraft were constructed, 2,293 by Grumman and 7,546 by General Motors. The Avenger had folding wings for easier stowage aboard aircraft carriers and was the first U.S. warplane to carry a 22-inch torpedo internally. Heavy defensive armament was provided for the three man crew. This consisted of three forward firing machine guns and two similar weapons firing to the rear, one in a power operated turret and one in a ventral position. Bombs, depth-charges, or sea-mines could replace the torpedo if required, and air-to-surface rockets were often hung on wing mountings in later versions. In June 1942, the Avenger made its combat debut in the Battle of Midway. Throughout the remaining years of the War, the aircraft played a key role in ending Japanese naval power in the Pacific Theater. It operated from island bases and also formed an integral part of the U.S. Navy's fast carrier strike force. The plane also saw wartime duty with the Royal Navy in the Pacific and European Theaters as the Martlet. After the end of World War II, the TBF/TBM performed in the military forces of the United States as well as those of allied nations. The last operational Avenger retired from Japanese service in 1962, a successful 20-year career for a rugged, reliable, and versatile aircraft. 
 

SPECIFIC HISTORY 

The museum’s Avenger is a General Motors built TBM-3E. This aircraft was restored by Pacific Fighters in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Pacific Fighters has returned this TBM back to its original condition.  It wears the markings if a VT-40 Avenger  based off the USS Suwannee in 1945.  Also notice the paint is flat.  Drab paint is period correct for this TBM.