Avenger | Planes of Fame Air Museum

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Avenger

HISTORY

Introduced in 1941, the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger was to become the U.S. Navy’s standard torpedo-bomber throughout World War II.
Production totaled more than 9,830, nearly three-quarters of them built under the designation TBM by the Eastern Aircraft division of General Motors.
Those built by Grumman were designated TBF and affectionately called "Turkeys" by their crews.
Assigned the US Navy bureau number 91264, Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Grumman TBM-3E Avenger (built by General Motors), was accepted into service on July 19, 1945.
Placed in the pool of operational aircraft assigned to the USS Franklin (CV-13) in 1945, the fact that the aircraft carrier had been damaged that year and was not repaired in time to return to combat meant that this the Museum's Avenger did not see combat service.
Served at NAS Weymouth, Massachusetts and at Norfolk, Virginia until August 1949 and eventually wound up at NAF El Centro, California where it was struck off charge on January 1, 1950.
Obtained by Planes of Fame Air Museum in 1959 and licensed as N7835C and restored to flight in 1983.

DISTINCTION

Took part in the 50th Anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation ceremonies at NAS North Island, California in 1961

SPECIFICATIONS

Status: Flyable

Manufacturer: General Motors Company

Year: 1945

Model: TBM-3E Avenger

Serial Number: 91264

Crew: 3

Max T/O Weight: 17,364 lb.

Span: 54 ft. 2 in.

Length: 40 ft. 0 in.

Height: 16 ft. 5 in.

Maximum Speed: 267 mph

Cruise Speed: 145 mph

Power Plant: 1, 1,700-hp Wright R-2600-20 Double Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine

Range: 1,105 miles

Service Ceiling: 22,400 ft.

Armament: 4 machine guns: two .50-cal forward, one turret .50-cal, & one ventral .30-cal

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