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Grumman TBF-1 'Avenger'

Description
  Manufacturer:Grumman


Control Panel
  Base model:TBF
  Designation:TBF
  Version:-1
  Nickname:Avenger
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1935-1946
  Basic role:Torpedo Bomber
 
 
 

Specifications
  Length: 40'0" 12.1 m
  Height:16' 5" 5.0 m
  Wingspan: 54' 2" 16.5 m
  Wingarea: 490.0 sq ft 45.5 sq m
  Empty Weight: 10,555 lb 4,786 kg
  Gross Weight: 16,412 lb 7,443 kg
  Max Weight: 17,364 lb 7,874 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Wright R-2600-8
  Horsepower (each): 1700

Performance
  Range: 1,105 miles 1,779 km
  Cruise Speed: 153 mph 246 km/h 132 kt
  Max Speed: 257 mph 413 km/h 223 kt
  Climb: 1,430 ft/min 435 m/min
  Ceiling: 21,400 ft 6,522 m

Known serial numbers
00373 / 00392, 00394 / 00658, 01731 / 01770, 05877 / 06491, 23857 / 24140, 24142 / 24340 , 24342 / 24520 , 47438 / 47637

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
National Museum of Naval AviationNAS PensacolaFlorida

TBF-1 on display

National Museum of Naval Aviation
    


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Charles M. Ingram, CAPT, USN, RET
 Kenansville, NC
For a book and monument honoring my county's WWII dead, I am seeking information on LTJG Norwood Harris Dobson, USNR, who was killed when his plane crashed in Cape Cod Bay on May 8, 1944. He was a member of Air Group 7 (CVG-7) on USS HANCOCK (CV-19), but flew training flights out of Quonset Point NAS, Rhode Island. I think that he may been a member of Torpedo Squadron 7 (VT-7/VP-7), and may have been flying the GrummanTBF-1 Avenger. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
11/23/2014 @ 10:06 [ref: 68774]
 Connie
 , CA
This message is to Karen Atkiss Grow. I have a copy of MIA in Raboul. John Kepchia gave it to my father Bob Cox of VB 305. Please email me at califsunny2001@yahoo.com and I'll get a copy to you!
03/28/2010 @ 15:08 [ref: 25939]
 Charles A. Templet
 Plaquemine, LA
My wifes cousin was a tail gunner on a Grumman VMTB named "Ready Baby" in WWII. Is there anyone who can share some history about tjhis aircraft?
03/24/2010 @ 15:42 [ref: 25921]
 Ken Sanders
 Corona, CA
Ensign "RH" Dick Wilson flew TBF-1 Avengers in the battle of Enewetok. RH was shot down and survived. He flew off the USS Hornet. He was shot down once again in later battles and survived as well.

After the war, RH was given his mom's 1931 Model A as transportation. RH Hopped up the Automobile and i now own it.

My Uncle, Lt. Commander Floyd Raymond USN was RH's best friend during the War. Floyd (Uncle Bill) flew Helldivers and SBD's during the battle of guadacanal. He is still living at 87.

I have made RH's Model A a lasting memorial to him and my uncle, and my father. My Father was a plane captain on the USS Boxer in the Korean War.
05/20/2009 @ 03:22 [ref: 24191]
 Johnny Signor
 Palm Bay, FL
hello,anyone interested in a VT-305 Leather unit patch contact me,i can make you a very nice one.
Thanks to all the WW2 veterans for what you did for us and went through so we enjoy our freedom today, it is very much appreciated,your are the "Greatest Generation"!!!!

Johnny Signor
WeBeEmblems@aol.com

02/19/2009 @ 11:29 [ref: 23764]
 Karen Atkiss Grow
 , VA
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of Missing in Action over Rabaul? The book is out of print and many searches on Google have turned up nothing. Ensign Atkiss was my grandfather's brother. We are desperate for his story. Thanks.
07/24/2008 @ 07:37 [ref: 22234]
 Walt Bumgarner
 , WA
Picture on your site is a TBM-3E, Not a TBF. I owned 5 at one time...4500 hours in type.
01/20/2008 @ 12:26 [ref: 19374]
 1LT Jose J. Dominguez
 Sacramento, CA
Good day, my wife’s grandfather (Lieutenant Commander Harry J. Stoner) was a Torpedo Bomber Pilot assigned to Torpedo Squadron 305 in the Pacific during WWII. His award certificates state that he served in the area of Rabul during 1944. I was wondering if anyone has any information on a service member that served with the 305 or has any information pertaining to the 305. My wife would like to make contact with anyone who might have known her Grandfather. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

1LT Jose J. Dominguez
235th EN Co (SAPPER)
jose.j.dominguez@us.army.mil

10/19/2007 @ 10:19 [ref: 18240]
 Paul Evans
 Kingwood, TX
My grandfather, Paul E. Evans was a ball gunner in the VT 305. I would love to see if any of the surviviors of the squadron are still alive and talk to them about my grandfather. Please email.
04/08/2007 @ 18:44 [ref: 16141]
 D.J.Myers
 Falling Waters, WV
I recommend M.I.A. over RABUL South Pacific by John B. Kepchia. If you can find it in paperback. It is the story about the pilot & crew of TBF #22 from USN Torpedo Sqn 305 (VT-305)"The Red Ass Sqn".. They were shot down over the Vunakanau Airstrip on Rabaul, New Bitain in the Solomon Islands on their 34th mission on May 21, 1944.
The pilot, 21 yr old Ensign Donald D. Atkiss from Philadelphia, PA, turret gunner, 20 yr old Richard Lanigan from St. Louis, MO; aom2/c & the author, radioman John B. Kepchia from Greensburg, PA, arm2/c. The three of them were interred in a Japanese Prision Camp until Sept 7, 1945. Atkiss & Lanigan perished in Prision. A well told experience with many photos & maps of the TBF, pilots, & crews. God Bless them All.
03/31/2007 @ 18:47 [ref: 16054]

 

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