The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was an American torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and used by a large number of air forces around the world. It entered service in 1942, and began major use during the Battle of Midway.

The Avenger had a large bomb bay, allowing for one Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 torpedo, a single 2000 lb (900 kg) bomb, or up to four 500 lb (230 kg) bombs. Torpedoes were generally abandoned after Midway and were not carried again regularly until after June of 1944, when improvements mandated their use again. By that time, it was rare for American aircraft to encounter enemy shipping at sea and the Avenger was primarily employed as a ground support weapon. The plane had overall ruggedness and stability, and pilots say it flew like a truck, for better or worse. With a 30,000 foot (10,000 m) ceiling and a fully-loaded range of 1,000 miles (1,600 km), it was better than any previous American torpedo plane, and better than its chief opponent, the then obsolete Japanese Nakajima B5N "Kate".

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USN Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo plane that was attached to VT-8, then operating from Midway Island, during the Battle of Midway, June 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: August 2009

Historical Account: "Midway" - Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) was a United States Navy squadron of torpedo bombers assigned to the Air Group operating from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8). The squadron joined the ship shortly after its commissioning in October 1941 and remained in the Pacific following her sinking in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942.

VT-8's first and best-known combat mission came during the Battle of Midway on June 4th, 1942. Flying the vulnerable Douglas TBD Devastators, Commander John C. Waldron's 15 planes were all shot down during their unescorted torpedo attack on four Japanese aircraft carriers. The squadron did not destroy any enemy aircraft with their rear .30-caliber machine guns, nor did they damage any of the Japanese carriers.

All members of Torpedo Squadron 8 who flew from the Hornet on that day perished in the action, with the exception of Ensign George Gay. Torpedo 8 was afterwards awarded the American Presidential Unit Citation.

A separate detachment of six TBF Avengers from Midway Island also took part in the foiled operation. The one aircraft that survived the battle was 8-T-1 (Bureau # 00380), piloted by Ensign Albert K. Earnest along with Radioman 3/c Harry Ferrier, who both survived the ordeal. Also aboard was Seaman 1/c Jay D. Manning who was operating the .50 caliber machine gun and killed in action by Japanese fighters. Upon its return to Midway Island, the aircraft was so badly damaged that it was considered beyond repair.