Grumman TBF-1 Avenger

NZ2527

Viewing of the Avenger is restricted due to major restoration which require a Aviation Volunteer Representative to see.

The Grumman Avenger was one of the outstanding aircraft of World War II. Designed as a torpedo bomber, they were also used for general bombing and as anti-submarine strike aircraft.  Other roles included photo reconnaissance, target towing and transport. The Avenger was used by four armed services: the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the Royal Navy, and the RNZAF. 

Over 10,000 Avengers were built during World War II (1939-45), and over 1000 of those went into service with the Fleet Air Arm.  Their folding wings allowed many aircraft to be stored on the deck of an aircraft carrier.  

Avenger at Hobsonville in 1943, with wings folded.

Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

The RNZAF operated 49 Avengers, although only 12 were still in service by the end of the War.  Most of the RNZAF Avengers were used by two successive squadrons (30 and 31) based at Piva Bomber strip, Bougainville in the Solomon Islands.

MOTAT’s Avenger was one of two sent to Fiji in 1944 for use by the Communications Flight in Nausori, Fiji. After the War it was used as a target tug (for firing practice) at the Ohakea Air Force Base, and was later sold to Barr Brothers to be used as a topdressing aircraft but was never used that way.  The Rotorua City Council donated it to MOTAT after it had outlived its use as playground equipment in Kuirau Park.  It is one of four surviving Avengers in New Zealand.

In 1948-49 the Government started the first experiments in aerial topdressing. These trials were carried out in Avenger aircraft, one shown here at Masterton. Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

Date: 1943

Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Long Island, N.Y.

Type: Three-seat torpedo bomber

Wing span: 16.5 m Folded: 5.8 m

Length: 12.2 m

Engine: One 1700 HP Wright R-2600-8 14-cylinder radial air-cooled engine

Armament: One 30 calibre machine gun in cowling, one fixed 50 calibre gun in each outer wing, one 50 calibre gun in power-operated turret, one 30 calibre gun in ventral hatch, bomb bay carrried one torpedo, one 2000 lb bomb or four 500 lb bombs

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