Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>TBM>HA1201
TBM-1C President George Bush, VT51, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)
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 41st U.S. President George Bush was graduat ed from Phillips Academy . Bush joined the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1942 as a seaman second class and was assigned to squadron VT-51 in September 1943, based on USS San Jacinto.
In September 2, 1944 Bush's Avenger was launched to neutralize a radio transmitter on Chichi Jima island. During the attack his plane was hit and caught fire. He was the only one to manage an escape and was later picked up by a U.S. submarine. For his action in the raid Bush received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for his bravery and gallantry. Throughout his career he also was awarded three more flying medals and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was later assigned as a naval aviator in a new torpedo squadron, VT-153. With the end of the war, he was honorably discharged in September 1945 and then entered Yale University.
In September 2, 1944 Bush's Avenger was launched to neutralize a radio transmitter on Chichi Jima island. During the attack his plane was hit and caught fire. He was the only one to manage an escape and was later picked up by a U.S. submarine. For his action in the raid Bush received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for his bravery and gallantry. Throughout his career he also was awarded three more flying medals and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was later assigned as a naval aviator in a new torpedo squadron, VT-153. With the end of the war, he was honorably discharged in September 1945 and then entered Yale University.
Specifications :
| Crew : | 3 |
| Length: | 40 ft 11.5 in (12.48 m) |
| Wingspan: | 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m) |
| Height: | 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) |
| Empty weight: | 10,545 lb (4,783 kg) |
| Loaded weight: | 17,893 lb (8,115 kg) |
| Power-plant: | 1x Wright R-2600-20 radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,420 kW) |
| Maximum speed: | 276 mph (444 km/h) |
| Range: | 1,000 miles (1,610 km) |
| Service ceiling: | 30,100 ft (9,170 m) |
| Rate of climb: | 2,060 ft/min (10.5 m/s) |
| Wing loading: | 36.5 ft·lbf²(178 kg/m²) |
| Power/mass: | 0.0094 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg) |
| Armament: | 1x 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) nose-mounted machine gun |
| 2x 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) wing-mounted machine guns | |
| 1x 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted machine gun | |
| 1x 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted machine gun | |
| Up to 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs | |
| 1x 2,000 lb (900 kg) torpedo |