VINTAGE FLYING MACHINES
FLYING MUSEUM
TBM Avenger
The Grumman's TBF design was selected as the replacement for the Douglas TBD torpedo bombe rand in April 1940 two prototypes were ordered by the Navy. Designed by Leroy Grumman, the first prototype was called the XTBF-1. [4] It was first flown on
August 7, 1941. The TBF made its combat debut at the Battle of Midway in June 1942 when six aircraft of VT-8 launched from the island to attack the Japanese fleet. Grumman produced the TBF until 1943 when the pressing need for F6F Hellcat production saw Avenger production to be moved to General Motor’s Eastern Division in New Jersey. Aircraft produced by GM were designated TBMs.
Vintage Flying Machines TBM-3, is configured as an anti-submarine aircraft and is painted in the Atlantic Sea Search paint scheme found on escort carriers operating as hunter-killer groups. On these small escort carriers TBMs would be paired with Grumman FM-2 Wildcats to hunt and sink submarines. VC-13 was one such unit and was one of the most successful units engaged in such activities. VFM’s TBM is painted to recognize this unit.