HOME      Grumman Avenger

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
Prior to the start of the U.S. involvement in World War II, Grumman Aircraft answered a call to produce a new U.S. Navy carrier based torpedo bomber. We are told that the new aircraft went from design in March of 1941 to its first flight in August of 1941, just five months later.
 
The TBM / TBF was the largest single engine airplane in service at the start of WW II. Pilots called the aircraft "Turkey" due to its homely looks, yet they liked it for its ruggedness.
 
Legend has it that the TBM / TBF was named for avenging the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In actuality, the aircraft had already received its name in October of 1941, two months prior to the attack.
 
TBM / TBF aircraft first saw action in mid-1942 after which they participated in virtually every major action in the Pacific. They are credited with sinking the Japanese battleships Hiei, Musahi, Yamato, the aircraft carrier Ryujo, up to 32 enemy submarines, and countless other shipping.
 
TBM / TBF aircraft were also used by the U.S.M.C., and numerous U.S. allies, including the Canadian Navy, and the Royal Navy.
 
When World War II ended, a number of TBM / TBF aircraft were enlisted as air tankers. Their ability to maneuver and dive at relatively slow speeds with heavy loads made them particularly suited to the task. Most were converted to be equipped with a 600 gallon retardant tank.
 
TBM / TBF air tankers continued in operation in the U. S. until 1973 when they started being replaced by Grumman S-2 Trackers. To date some TBM / TBF air tankers continue to operate in Canada.
 
A total of 7,546 TBM aircraft were manufactured by General Motors under license by Grumman. Grumman manufactured an additional 2,290 TBF aircraft.
 
 
Post War TBM Aircraft:
Glenn McBride writes: "Just thought you'd like to see the picture of a TBM outfitted for insecticide spraying operations in New Brunswick, Canada. These were used from the late 50's to the late 90's to stop the spread of budworms in pine trees (as well as water bombing) and have been replaced by the Air Tractor 802. In 1971 there were more than 40 operational."
 
 
Not a Radio Control Airplane
TBM used for spraying.
 

Specifications

        Primary Function:
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        Power:
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        Ordnance
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        Year Deployed:
torpedo bomber
three
Wright R2600
1,900 h.p.
40' 11"
54' 2"
10,550 lbs.
17,900 lbs.
2- .30, 3- .50 cal.
2,250 lbs.
145 mph
275 mph
1,080 fpm
25,000 feet
1,000 miles
8/1/41
1942
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Dare Hobbies.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the Dare Hobbies Grumman TBM RC Airplane. The radio control airplane has a 41" wing span and a length of 30". Recommended power for the RC Airplane is a MPI geared 280 motor.
 
In the first picture below is a 124" wing span TBF radio control airplane built by Errol Wilson. The RC Airplane has a wing span of 124". Errol powers his radio control airplane with a Quadra 200 engine. All weight of the RC Airplane is 55 lbs.
 
The second picture below is of Scott Vickery's TBM radio control airplane. The RC Airplane is built from a Skyshark kit. Wing span of the radio control airplane is 72". The RC Airplane is 1/9 scale and has an all up weight of 12 lbs. Scott powers his radio control airplane with a Saito 100 engine. Skyshark recommends two stroke engines in the .60 to .89 range for their RC Airplane.
 
The final picture on this page is of the TBM radio control airplane built by Firebar of RC Groups. Wing span of the RC Airplane is 108". The length of the radio control airplane is 80". The RC Airplane is from a Charles Kellog design sold by Precision Cut Kits. Materials used to build the radio control airplane are balsa and plywood. The RC Airplane is powered by a 3W 75i US engine. All up weight of the radio control airplane is 38 lbs.
 
Please email us if you have built a Grumman Avenger RC Airplane or you can recommend plans, kits, or an ARF of the TBM / TBF RC Airplane.



Radio Control Airplane
Errol Wilson and his RC Airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane

Scott Vickery and his RC Airplane.

Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane from Precision Cut Kits.