Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>TBM>HA1215

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

On April 7, 1945 the Japanese battleship Yamato along with 1 light-cruiser and 8 destroyers were spotted off the coast of Kyushu headed for the U.S. ships supporting the landing on Okinawa. As part of Task Force 53, Air Group 83 and others launched a full-scale assault on the Japanese Task Force. When it was over the Yamato, the 1 cruiser, 3 destroyers were sunk and the other 5 destroyers fled. It was determined that TBM’s from VT-83 scored four definite torpedo hits as well as 4 probable hits on the Yamato. They also scored 2 1,000 lb. bombs hits on the cruiser and sank 1 destroyer with a single torpedo.

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:	1!N 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