By 1939 the Douglas Devastator needed to be replaced. The USN tendered for a torpedo
bomber with greater range, could carry a larger payload than the Devastator’s, was faster
and more durable. Grumman was awarded the contract to deliver their TBF. During the
same time as the grand roll out of the new aircraft word came that there had been a
disaster. The date was December 7, 1941 Japan had just attacked Pearl Harbor. This
would be the start of what would turn out to be one of the best WWII aircraft ever
produced. It was because of Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor that the aircraft received its
appropriate name, Avenger.

The convoys in the Atlantic Ocean were crucial for the supplying England and Allied
troops with everything from food to fighters. If the ships didn’t get through it would mean
WWII would continue for much longer and cost unimaginable numbers of lives. A team
system was developed to handle the situation. It was comprised of Destroyers protecting
Escort Aircraft Carriers (CVEs) that were the base for TBF and F4Fs. Using their ability
for long endurance and a large payload of multiple 250-pound, 325-pound, or (most often)
500-pound depth bombs and rockets the Avengers would search for surfaced U-boats
and then dive on them releasing their torpedoes. Sometimes due to flak fire from the subs
the TBF would stand off out of range of the guns while an F4F Wildcat would be called in.
With its large machine guns and speed the F4F would put an end to the flak fire giving the
TBF time to move in and drop the torpedo. Some figures say over 35 U-boats were sunk
by US air groups using this method. This doesn’t take into account the subs that were
sunk by British Avengers that operated from land bases. The crew of Lt. (jg) Leonard
McFord spotted one such sub and is credited with the first use of rockets by a US aircraft
to attack a submarine. One other notable incident was the sinking of the Japanese
submarine I-52 in 1943. It was in the Atlantic and carrying a stockpile of items that were
needed by Germany who in turn were going to supply Japan with much needed items.
The sub was spotted and attacked by 2 Avengers from USS Bogue that sent the I-52 to
the bottom.

There was a total 9,839 Avengers produced in all variants with 2,293 TBFs being built by
Grumman. The other 7,546 were TBMs built by Eastern Aircraft, a subsidiary of General
Motors.

TBF-1C Specifications

Dimensions
Length: 40' 11.5"
Height: 16' 9"
Wing Span: 54' 2"

Weight
Max Weight: 17,364 lbs
Empty Weight: 10,500 lbs

Engine & Power
1 X Wright R-2600-8 radial engine
Power: 1700 HP at sea level

Performance
Stall Speed: 77 mph IAS
Max Speed: 249 mph
Ceiling: 21,400 ft
Rate of climb: 1,400 fpm at sea level
Range: 1,100 miles

Armament
2 X .50 cal machine guns in turret
2 X .50 cal machine guns in wing
1 X .30 gun in tail
Various bombs or torpedo.

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