Hobby Master HA1225 US Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo-Bomber - "White 5", Torpedo Squadron 4 (VT-4), USS Ranger (CV-4), September 1943 (1:72 Scale)
"CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited)"
- Term used by naval aviators to describe perfect flight conditions when operating from an aircraft carrier
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 US Navy TBF-1 Avenger torpedo-bomber that was embarked upon the USS Ranger (CV-4), then participating in Operation Leader, during September 1943.
Pre-order! Ship Date: November 2026.
Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-inches
Release Date: ?
Hisotrical Account: "Operation Leader" - Operation Leader was an air attack conducted against German shipping in the vicinity of Bodo, Norway, on October 4th, 1943, during World War II. Conducted by aircraft from the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Ranger, which was part of the British Home Fleet, the raid located numerous German and Norwegian ships in the area, destroying five and likely damaging another seven. Two German aircraft searching for the Allied fleet were shot down. Additionally, three American aircraft were destroyed in combat during the operation, and one crashed while landing.
The attack followed a two-year lull in Allied aircraft carrier operations against Norway and took the German occupation forces by surprise. The choice of target was guided by intelligence gained from decoding German radio signals and reports from Norwegian Secret Intelligence Service agents; two Norwegian airmen flew with the attack force to provide advice on the local geography. In addition to sinking ships, Operation Leader damaged the German war effort by considerably disrupting the convoy system in the region and reducing shipments of iron ore.
Wingspan: 10-inches Length: 8-inches
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