Editing Grumman TBF Avenger

{{Short description|American naval torpedo bomber}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = TBF/TBM Avenger
 |image = File:TBM3 Avenger - Chino Airshow 2014 (14344070442).jpg
 |caption = General Motors TBM-3E Avenger in flight, 2014
 |type =[[Torpedo bomber]]
 |national_origin = United States
 |manufacturer = [[Grumman]]
 |builder= [[Eastern Aircraft Division|GM Eastern Aircraft Division]]
 |designer =
 |first_flight = 7 August 1941
 |introduction = 1942
 |retired = 1960s
 |status = Retired
 |primary_user = [[United States Navy]]
 |more_users = [[Royal Navy]] <br>[[Royal Canadian Navy]] <br>[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
 |produced =
 |number_built = 9,839
 |variants =
}}

The '''Grumman TBF Avenger''' (designated '''TBM'''<ref>Under the [[1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system]] in use at the time, the TB in the designation refers to its role as a torpedo bomber, F was assigned to aircraft built by Grumman, and M to those built by General Motors, G having already been assigned to the [[Great Lakes Aircraft Company]] previously.</ref> for aircraft manufactured by [[General Motors]]) is an American [[World War II]]-era [[torpedo bomber]] developed initially for the [[United States Navy]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], and eventually used by several air and [[naval aviation]] services around the world.

The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the [[Battle of Midway]]. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective submarine killer<ref>{{cite web |title=The Grumman TBF Avenger: The Bomber That Changed the War |url=https://visitpearlharbor.org/grumman-tbf-avenger-bomber-changed-war/ |website=Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau |access-date=27 October 2020 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305073938/https://visitpearlharbor.org/grumman-tbf-avenger-bomber-changed-war/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{bsn|date=April 2024}} and most widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II, sharing credit for sinking the super-battleships {{ship|Japanese battleship|Yamato||2}} and {{ship|Japanese battleship|Musashi||2}}  and being credited for sinking 30 submarines. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.<ref name="The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings">Wheeler 1992, p. 53.</ref>

From 1942-on, production of the Avenger (in fact nearly three quarters of its the total production) was subcontracted to a purposely established division of General Motors: the [[Eastern Aircraft Division]].

==Design and development==
[[File:TBM on USS Randolph 1945.jpg|thumb|A Grumman TBM ([[General Motors|GM]]-built TBF) with [[Grumman Sto-Wing|Sto-Wing]] folding wings]]
[[File:TBF early1942.jpg|thumb|TBF-1 Avenger early in 1942. Note the red spot centered in the U.S. [[United States military aircraft national insignia|roundel]] and [[Flag of the United States|flag-inspired fin flash]] on the rudder, both of which were removed prior to the [[Battle of Midway]] to avoid confusion with Japanese insignia.]]
[[File:TBF mid1942.jpg|thumb|TBF Avenger in mid-1942]]

The [[Douglas TBD Devastator]], the U.S. Navy's main torpedo bomber introduced in 1935, was obsolete by 1939. Bids were accepted from several companies, but Grumman's TBF design was selected as the replacement for the TBD and in April 1940 two prototypes were ordered by the Navy. Designed by [[Leroy Grumman]], the first prototype was called the ''XTBF-1''.<ref>Tillman 1999, p. 6.</ref> It was first flown on 7 August 1941. Although one of the first two prototypes crashed near [[Brentwood, New York]], rapid production continued.

To ease carrier storage concerns, simultaneously with the [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|F4F-4]] model of its Wildcat carrier fighter, Grumman designed the Avenger to also use the new [[Grumman Sto-Wing|Sto-Wing]] patented "compound angle" wing-folding mechanism, intended to maximize storage space on an aircraft carrier; the Wildcat's replacement, the [[Grumman F6F Hellcat|F6F Hellcat]], also employed this mechanism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aviation-history.com/grumman/f4f.html |title=Grumman F4F Wildcat |last1=Dwyer |first1=Larry |date=19 February 2014 |website=The Aviation History Online Museum |access-date=27 October 2020 |quote=The F4F-4 was the first version of the Wildcat to feature a Grumman innovation, the ''[[Grumman Sto-Wing|Sto-Wing]]''. The ''Sto-Wing'' used a novel approach using a compound angle folding-wing that was unique to Grumman&nbsp;... It was a successful design that was later used on the F6F Hellcat and TBF Avenger.}}</ref> The [[Aircraft engine|engine]] used was the twin-row [[Wright R-2600|Wright R-2600-20]] Twin Cyclone fourteen-cylinder radial engine, which produced {{convert|1900|hp|kW|round=10}}.

There were three crew members: pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier/ventral gunner. A single [[Synchronization gear|synchronized]] [[M1919 Browning machine gun#Aircraft|.30&nbsp;caliber (7.62&nbsp;mm) machine gun]] was mounted in the nose, a [[M2 Browning#.50 Browning AN/M2|.50&nbsp;caliber (12.7&nbsp;mm) gun]] was mounted right next to the turret gunner's head in a rear-facing electrically powered turret, and a single 0.30&nbsp;caliber (7.62&nbsp;mm) hand-fired machine gun flexibly-mounted ventrally (under the tail), which was used to defend against enemy fighters attacking from below and to the rear. This gun was fired by the radioman/bombardier while standing up and bending over in the belly of the tail section, though he usually sat on a folding bench facing forward to operate the radio and to sight in bombing runs. 

Later models of the TBF/TBM omitted the cowl-mount synchronized 0.30&nbsp;caliber (7.62&nbsp;mm) gun, and replaced it with twin Browning AN/M2 0.50&nbsp;caliber (12.7&nbsp;mm) light-barrel guns, one in each wing outboard of the propeller arc, per pilots' requests for better forward firepower and increased strafing ability. There was only one set of controls on the aircraft, and no direct access to the pilot's position existed from the rest of the aircraft's interior. The radio equipment was massive, especially by today's standards, and filled the length of the well-framed "greenhouse" canopy to the rear of the pilot. The radios were accessible for repair through a "tunnel" along the right hand side. Any Avengers that are still flying today usually have an additional rear-mounted seat in place of the radios, allowing for a fourth passenger.

The Avenger had a large bomb bay, allowing for one [[Bliss-Leavitt torpedo|Bliss-Leavitt]] [[Mark 13 torpedo]], a single {{convert|2000|lb|kg|0|adj=on}} bomb, or up to four {{convert|500|lb|kg|0|adj=on}} [[Aerial bomb|bomb]]s. The aircraft had overall ruggedness and stability, and pilots say it flew like a truck, for better or worse. With its good radio facilities, docile handling, and long range, the Grumman Avenger also made an ideal command aircraft for Commanders, Air Group (CAGs). With a {{convert|30000|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} ceiling and a fully loaded range of {{convert|1000|mi|km}}, it was better than any previous American torpedo bomber, and better than its Japanese counterpart, the obsolete [[Nakajima B5N]] "Kate". Later Avenger models carried radar equipment for the [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] and [[Airborne Early Warning|AEW]] roles.

[[Escort carrier]] sailors referred to the TBF as the "turkey" because of its size and maneuverability in comparison to the [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|F4F Wildcat]] fighters in the same airgroups.<ref name="Proceedings">{{cite magazine |last=O'Rourke |first=G. G. |title=Of Hosenoses, Stoofs, and Lefthanded Spads |magazine=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |date=July 1968 |volume=94 |number=7 |page=56 |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1968/july/hosenoses-stoofs-and-lefthanded-spads |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Operational history==
===U.S. Navy===
[[File:TBF launching.jpg|thumb|TBF Avenger ready for catapult launch]]
[[File:Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of VT-5 about to take off from USS Yorktown (CV-10), circa in late 1943 (80-G-K-15278).jpg|thumb|A Grumman TBF Avenger aboard {{USS|Yorktown|CV-10|6}}, {{circa|late 1943}}]]
[[File:George H.W. Bush seated in a Grumman TBM Avenger, circa 1944 (H069-13).jpg|thumb|Future American President [[George H. W. Bush]], in a TBM Avenger on the light aircraft carrier {{USS|San Jacinto|CVL-30|6}} in 1944]]

On the afternoon of 7 December 1941, Grumman held a ceremony to open a new manufacturing plant and display the new TBF to the public. Coincidentally, on that day, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked Pearl Harbor]], as Grumman soon found out. After the ceremony was over, the plant was quickly sealed off to guard against possible sabotage. By early June 1942, a shipment of more than 100 aircraft was sent to the Navy, arriving only a few hours after the three carriers quickly departed from [[Pearl Harbor]], so most of them were too late to participate in the pivotal [[Battle of Midway]].

Six TBF-1s were present on [[Midway Atoll|Midway Island]]{{snd}}as part of [[VT-8]] (Torpedo Squadron 8){{snd}}while the rest of the [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]] flew Devastators from the aircraft carrier {{USS|Hornet|CV-8|2}}. Both types of torpedo bombers suffered heavy casualties. Out of the six Avengers, five were shot down and the other returned heavily damaged with one of its gunners killed, and the other gunner and the pilot wounded.<ref name="USN ONI Battle of Midway">{{cite report |author= Combat Intelligence Branch |date= 1943 |chapter= Midway's Attack on the Enemy Carriers |title= Combat Narrative: The Battle of Midway, June 3–6 1942 |page= 17 |publisher= U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Intelligence |url= http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Midway/ |chapter-url= http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Midway/USN-CN-Midway-6.html |via= HyperWar Foundation |access-date= 2021-05-13 }}</ref>

Author [[Gordon Prange]] posited in ''Miracle at Midway'' that the outdated Devastators (and lack of new aircraft) contributed somewhat to the lack of a complete victory at Midway (the four Japanese fleet carriers were sunk directly by dive bombers instead). Others pointed out that the inexperienced American pilots and lack of fighter cover were responsible for poor showing of US torpedo bombers, regardless of type.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Joel |date=2006 |title=1942 – Battle of Midway |url=http://www.cv6.org/1942/midway/midway_2.htm |access-date=27 October 2020 |website=USS Enterprise CV-6}}</ref> Later in the war, with growing American air superiority, better attack coordination and more veteran pilots, Avengers were able to play vital roles in the subsequent battles against Japanese surface forces.<ref name=supership>{{cite episode |title=Sinking the Supership |date=4 October 2005 |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/supership/ |series=[[Nova (American TV program)|Nova]] |network=[[PBS]] |season=33 |number=3212 |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

On 24 August 1942, the next major naval aircraft carrier battle occurred at the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons|Eastern Solomons]]. Based on the carriers {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|2}} and {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|2}}, the 24 TBFs present were able to sink the Japanese light carrier {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Ryūjō||2}} and claim one dive bomber, at the cost of seven aircraft.

The first major "prize" for the TBFs (which had been assigned the name "Avenger" in October 1941,<ref>Associated Press. [https://www.nytimes.com/1941/10/02/archives/fighting-names-given-to-planes-by-the-navy.html "Fighting Names Given to Planes by the Navy"]. ''The New York Times''. Vol. XCI No. 30,567, 2 October 1941, p. 17.</ref><ref>"New Plane Names". ''Flying and Popular Aviation'' (Chicago: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company), Vol. 30 [sic], No. 1, January 1942, p. 232.</ref> before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor) was at the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] in November 1942, when Marine Corps and Navy Avengers helped sink the Japanese [[battleship]] {{Ship|Japanese battleship|Hiei||2}}, which had already been crippled the night before.

After hundreds of the original ''TBF-1'' models were built, the ''TBF-1C'' began production. The allotment of space for specialized internal and wing-mounted fuel tanks doubled the Avenger's range. By 1943, Grumman began to slowly phase out production of the Avenger to produce F6F Hellcat fighters, and the [[Eastern Aircraft Division]] of [[General Motors]] took over production, with these aircraft being designated ''TBM''. The Eastern Aircraft plant was located in [[Ewing Township, New Jersey|Ewing]], New Jersey. Grumman delivered a TBF-1, held together with sheet metal screws, so that the automotive engineers could disassemble it, one part at a time, and redesign the aircraft for automotive-style production. This aircraft was known as the "P-K Avenger" ("P-K" being an abbreviation for Parker-Kalon, manufacturer of sheet metal screws). Starting in mid-1944, the ''TBM-3'' began production (with a more powerful powerplant and wing hardpoints for drop tanks and [[rocket]]s). The dash-3 was the most numerous of the Avengers (with about 4,600 produced). However, most of the Avengers in service were dash-1s until near the end of the war in 1945.

Besides the traditional surface role (torpedoing surface ships), Avengers claimed about 30 [[submarine]] kills, including the cargo submarine {{Ship|Japanese submarine|I-52|1943|2}}. They were one of the most effective sub-killers in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theater]], as well as in the Atlantic, when escort carriers were finally available to escort Allied convoys. There, the Avengers contributed to the warding off of German [[U-boat]]s while providing air cover for the convoys.

After the "[[Battle of the Philippine Sea|Marianas Turkey Shoot]]", in which more than 250 Japanese aircraft were downed, [[Admiral]] [[Marc Mitscher]] ordered a 220-aircraft mission to find the Japanese task force. Fighting {{convert|300|nmi|km|abbr=on}} away from the fleet at the extreme end of their range, the group of Hellcats, TBF/TBMs, and [[dive bomber]]s took many casualties. However, Avengers from the {{sclass|Independence|aircraft carrier}} {{USS|Belleau Wood|CVL-24|6}} sank the light carrier {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Hiyō||2}} as their only major prize. Mitscher's gamble did not pay off as well as he had hoped.

In June 1943, shortly before his 19th birthday, future-president, [[George H. W. Bush]], was commissioned as the youngest naval aviator at the time.<ref name="navy">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant Junior Grade George Bush, USNR |publisher=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]] |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq10-1.htm |archive-date=8 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108211228/http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq10-1.htm}}</ref> Later, while flying a TBM with VT-51 (from {{USS|San Jacinto|CVL-30|6}}), his Avenger was shot down on 2 September 1944 over the Pacific island of [[Chichi Jima]].<ref>Hove 2003, p. 178.</ref> However, he released his payload and hit the radio tower target before being forced to bail out over water. Both of his crewmates died. He was rescued at sea by the American submarine {{USS|Finback|SS-230|6}}. He later received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].

Another famous Avenger aviator was [[Paul Newman]], who flew as a rear gunner. He had hoped to be accepted for pilot training, but did not qualify because he was [[color blind]]. Newman was on board the escort carrier {{USS|Hollandia|CVE-97|6}} roughly {{convert|500|mi|km|abbr=on}} from Japan when the [[Enola Gay]] dropped the [[Little Boy|first atomic bomb]] on [[Hiroshima]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wise | first1=James E. Jr. |last2=Rehill |first2=Anne Collier |date=1997 |title=Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1557509379 |ol=OL668535M |url=https://archive.org/details/starsinbluemovie0000wise |url-access=registration}}</ref>

The Avenger was the type of torpedo bomber used during the sinking of the two Japanese "super battleships", with the US Navy having complete air superiority in both engagements: {{Ship|Japanese battleship|Musashi||2}} and {{Ship|Japanese battleship|Yamato||2}}.<ref name=supership/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hackett |first1=Bob |last2=Kingsepp |first2=Sander |date=2017 |title=IJN Battleship Musashi: Tabular Record of Movement |website=CombinedFleet |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/musashi.htm |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

The postwar disappearance on 5 December 1945 of a flight of five American Avengers, known as [[Flight 19]], was later added to the [[Bermuda Triangle]] legend, first written about by Edward Van Winkle Jones in an [[Associated Press]] article published in September 1950.<ref name="Jones 1950">{{cite news |author=E. V. W. Jones |date=17 September 1950 |title=Sea's Puzzles Still Baffle Men In Pushbutton Age |newspaper=Miami Herald |agency=Associated Press |page=6F |url=http://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/BermudaTriangle/evwjones.html |via=course material, "The Scientific Method - Critical and Creative Thinking", SMU Department of Physics |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

During World War II, the US aeronautical research arm [[NACA]] used a complete Avenger in a comprehensive [[Drag (physics)|drag-reduction]] study in their large [[Langley Research Center|Langley]] [[wind tunnel]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071023032801/http://gis.larc.nasa.gov/masterplan/section7_public/#history "History of Langley Research Center."] ''NASA.'' Retrieved: 22 July 2011.</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2020}}

===Royal Navy===
[[File:Grumman Avenger AS.5 XB355 CU396 744 Sq.jpg|thumb|Royal Navy Grumman Avenger AS.4 XB355 'CU 396' of 744 Squadron at Blackbushe in 1955]]

The Avenger was also used by the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[Fleet Air Arm]] (FAA), where it was initially known as the "[[Tarpon]]". Initial test flights were carried out by British Admiralty test pilot [[Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner]] at [[RAF Boscombe Down]]. However, this name was later discontinued and the Avenger name used instead, as part of the process of the FAA universally adopting the U.S. Navy's names for American naval aircraft. The first 402 aircraft were known as Avenger Mk I, 334 TBM-1s from Grumman were called the Avenger Mk II, and 334 TBM-3 were designated the Mk III. An interesting kill by a Royal Navy Avenger was the destruction of a [[V-1 flying bomb]] on 9 July 1944. The much faster V-1 was overtaking the Avenger when the Telegraphist Air Gunner in the dorsal turret, [[Leading Seaman|Leading Airman]] Fred Shirmer, fired at it from {{convert|700|yd|m}}. For this achievement, Shirmer was [[Mentioned in Dispatches]], later being awarded the [[Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)|DSM]] for the 1945 [[Operation Meridian]] action at [[Palembang]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/rollofhonour/TAG/Honours_TAGsindex.html |title=List of all Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAGs) receiving honours and awards whilst serving with front line squadrons, 1939–1945 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014002/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/rollofhonour/TAG/Honours_TAGsindex.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |website=Fleet Air Arm Archive|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In the January 1945 British carrier raid on the Soengei Gerong oil refinery during Operation Meridian, an FAA Avenger shot down a [[Nakajima Ki-44]] "Tojo" in low level combat over the jungle.<ref>{{cite book|last=Iredale|first=W.|title=The Kamikaze Hunters|year=2015|page=211|publisher=Macmillan |isbn=9780230768192}}</ref> Three Avengers were modified to carry the [[Bouncing bomb|Highball]] "bouncing bomb" (given the new codename Tammany Hall), but when trials were unsuccessful, they were returned to standard configuration and passed to the Royal Navy.<ref>{{cite book | title = Bouncing-Bomb Man: the Science of Sir Barnes Wallis | first = Iain | last = Murray | publisher = Haynes | year = 2009 | page=117 | isbn = 978-1-84425-588-7}}</ref>

One hundred USN TBM-3Es were supplied to the FAA in 1953 under the US [[Mutual Defense Assistance Program]]. The aircraft were shipped from [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], Virginia, many aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier {{HMS|Perseus|R51|6}}. The Avengers were fitted with British equipment by [[Scottish Aviation]] and delivered as the Avenger AS.4 to several FAA squadrons including No. 767, 814, 815, 820 and 824. The aircraft were replaced from 1954 by [[Fairey Gannet]]s and were passed to squadrons of the [[Royal Naval Reserve|Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve]] including Nos. 1841 and 1844 until the RNVR Air Branch was disbanded in 1957. The survivors were transferred to the French Navy in 1957–1958.

===Royal New Zealand Air Force===
The only other operator in World War II was the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] which used the type primarily as a bomber, equipping Nos. [[No. 30 Squadron RNZAF|30]] and [[No. 31 Squadron RNZAF|31 Squadron]]s, with both operating from South Pacific island bases during 1944 in support of the [[Bougainville campaign]]. Some of the Avengers were later transferred to the [[British Pacific Fleet]].

In 1945, Avengers were involved in pioneering trials of [[aerial topdressing]] in New Zealand that led to the establishment of an industry which markedly increased food production and efficiency in farming worldwide. Pilots of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]'s [[No. 42 Squadron RNZAF|No. 42 Squadron]] spread fertilizer from Avengers beside runways at [[RNZAF Base Ohakea|Ohakea Air Base]] and provided a demonstration for farmers at [[Hood Aerodrome]], Masterton, New Zealand.<ref>Geelen 1983</ref>{{Page needed|date=June 2013}}

===Royal Canadian Navy===
[[File:Avenger of the RCNAS (5168695642).jpg|thumb|A Royal Canadian Navy Avenger over {{HMCS|Magnificent|CVL 21|6}}]]

One of the primary postwar users of the Avenger was the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], which obtained 125 former US Navy TBM-3E Avengers from 1950 to 1952 to replace their [[Fairey Firefly|Fairey Fireflies]]. By the time the Avengers were delivered, the RCN was shifting its primary focus to [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW), and the aircraft was rapidly becoming obsolete as an attack platform. Consequently, 98 of the RCN Avengers were fitted with an extensive number of novel ASW modifications, including [[radar]], [[electronic countermeasures]] (ECM) equipment, and [[sonobuoy]]s, and the upper ball turret was replaced with a sloping glass canopy that was better suited for observation duties. The modified Avengers were designated ''AS 3''. A number of these aircraft were later fitted with a large [[magnetic anomaly detector]] (MAD) boom on the rear left side of the fuselage and were redesignated ''AS 3M''. However, RCN leaders soon realized the Avenger's shortcomings as an ASW aircraft, and in 1954 they elected to replace the AS 3 with the [[Grumman S-2 Tracker]], which offered longer range, greater load-carrying capacity for electronics and armament, and a second engine, a great safety benefit when flying long-range ASW patrols over frigid [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic]] waters. As delivery of the new license-built CS2F Trackers began in 1957, the Avengers were shifted to training duties, and were officially retired in July 1960.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft History: Grumman Avenger |website=Shearwater Aviation Museum |url=http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/aircraft/avenger.htm |access-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220100104/http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/aircraft/avenger.htm |archive-date=20 February 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Camouflage research===
TBM Avengers were used in wartime research into [[counter-illumination]] [[camouflage]]. The torpedo bombers were fitted with [[Yehudi lights]], a set of forward-pointing lights automatically adjusted to match the brightness of the sky. The planes therefore appeared as bright as the sky, rather than as dark shapes. The technology, a development of the Canadian navy's [[diffused lighting camouflage]] research, allowed an Avenger to advance to within {{convert|3000|yd|m}} before being seen.<ref>Hambling, David. [https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/05/invisible-drone "Cloak of Light Makes Drone Invisible?"] ''Wired'', 9 May 2008. Retrieved: 17 June 2012.</ref>

===Civilian use===
[[File:Fire retardant aircraft and DC-3 Missoula Montana Aerial Fire Depot US Forest Service Johnson Flying Service August 1967.jpg|thumb|[[Johnson Flying Service]] TBM Avengers modified to drop fire retardant: [[Missoula International Airport|Missoula, Montana]] 1967]]
Many Avengers have survived into the 21st century working as spray-applicators and water-bombers throughout North America, particularly in the Canadian province of [[New Brunswick]].

Forest Protection Limited (FPL) of [[Fredericton, New Brunswick]], once owned and operated the largest civilian fleet of Avengers in the world. FPL began operating Avengers in 1958 after purchasing 12 surplus TBM-3E aircraft from the [[Royal Canadian Navy]].<ref name="FPL">[http://www.forestprotectionlimited.com/english/history.html "History: Timeline."] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20050312235157/http://www.forestprotectionlimited.com/english/history.html |date=2005-03-12 }} ''forestprotectionlimited.com.'' Retrieved: 17 November 2012.</ref> Use of the Avenger fleet at FPL peaked in 1971 when 43 aircraft were in use as both water bombers and spray aircraft.<ref name= "FPL"/> The company sold three Avengers in 2004 (C-GFPS, C-GFPM, and C-GLEJ) to museums or private collectors. The Central New Brunswick Woodsmen's Museum has a former FPL Avenger on static display.<ref>[http://www.woodsmenmuseum.com/id2.html "Woods Museum: Avenger."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413201147/http://www.woodsmenmuseum.com/id2.html |date=2008-04-13 }} ''Central New Brunswick Woodsmen's Museum.'' Retrieved: 22 July 2011.</ref> An FPL Avenger that crashed in 1975 in southwestern New Brunswick was recovered and restored by a group of interested aviation enthusiasts and is currently on display at the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum.<ref>[http://acam.ednet.ns.ca/avenger/avenger.htm "Avenger On Display."] ''Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 22 July 2011.</ref> FPL was still operating three Avengers in 2010 configured as water-bombers, and stationed at [[Miramichi Airport]]. One of these crashed just after takeoff on 23 April 2010, killing the pilot.<ref>[http://nbinsects.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html "New Brunswick, June 2007."] ''Insects.'' Retrieved: 22 July 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2009/12/nb-firefighters.html "Land and Sea: NB Firefighters."] ''CBC Television,'' 9 December 2009.</ref> The last FPL Avenger was retired on 26 July 2012 and sold to the Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-wwii-plane-lands-at-shearwater-museum-1.1217441 "N.B. WWII plane lands at Shearwater museum."] ''CBC News,'' 26 July 2012.</ref>

There are several other Avengers, usually flying as [[warbird]]s in private collections around the world today.<ref>[http://area51aviation.co.uk/northweald.html "Avenger."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628024400/http://www.area51aviation.co.uk/northweald.html |date=2006-06-28 }} ''Area 51 Aviation.'' Retrieved: 22 July 2011.</ref> They are a popular airshow fixture in both flying and static displays.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://air.blastmagazine.com/tbftbm-avenger/ |title=Air Cache: TBF/TBM Avenger |access-date=2012-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314153508/http://air.blastmagazine.com/tbftbm-avenger/ |archive-date=2013-03-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2020 the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) were flying three TBM Avengers<ref>{{cite web |title=Collection / CAF Fleet |url=https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft |website=Commemorative Air Force |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> with one based with the Rocky Mountain Wing in Grand Junction, Colorado; another with the Missouri Wing at St Charles Smartt Field; and their newest with the Capital Wing in Culpeper, Virginia. Each of these allow non-CAF members to ride in the aircraft for a Living History Flight Experience.<ref name="cafrmw">{{cite web |title=Living History Flight Experience in a WWII TBM Torpedo Bomber |url=https://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org/buy-a-ride.html |website=Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="cafmo">{{cite web |title=Fly With US: TBM3E "Avenger" |url=https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/11 |website=Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="cafcap">{{cite web |title=Warbird Rides |url=http://www.capitalwing.org/rides.asp |website=Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:TBF dropping torpedo NAN2-2-44.jpg|thumb|A TBF-1 dropping a torpedo]]
[[File:TBM VT-90 CV-6 Jan1945.jpg|thumb|TBM-3Ds of VT(N)-90 January 1945]]
[[File:TBM-3Es VC-22 over USS Coral Sea (CVB-43).jpg|thumb|Six U.S. Navy Grumman TBM-3E Avenger anti-submarine aircraft of Composite Squadron VC-22 Checkmates flying over the Mediterranean Sea]]
[[File:TBMs and SB2Cs dropping bombs.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of a large number of propeller-driven monoplanes dropping bombs|US Navy TBMs (foreground) and [[Curtiss SB2C Helldiver|SB2C Helldiver]]s drop bombs on [[Hakodate, Hokkaidō|Hakodate]] in July 1945]]
[[File:Grumman TBM-3R VR-23 over Korea 1953.jpg|thumb|A TBM-3R COD plane in the early 1950s]]
[[File:TBM-3W at NAS Patuxent River c1946.jpg|thumb|TBM-3W]]
[[File:Mesa-Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum-Grumman TBF Avenger – World War 2 Torpedo Bomber.jpg|thumb|TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber]]
[[File:De Grumman TBM-3S2 Avenger 038 van vliegtuigsquadron 2 (VSQ2) is geland op het vlaggeschip, Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman (R81) (2015-1-103).jpg|thumb|TBM-3S2 submarine attack variant of the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]].]]

===TBF===
;XTBF-1
:Prototypes each powered by a {{convert|1700|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-2600-8 engine, second aircraft introduced the large dorsal fin. (2 built)
;TBF-1
:Initial production model based on the second prototype. (1,526 built)
;TBF-1C
:TBF-1 with provision for two {{convert|0.5|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} wing guns and fuel capacity increased to {{convert|726|gal|L|0|abbr=on}}. (765 built)
;TBF-1B
:Paper designation for the Avenger I for the Royal Navy.
;TBF-1D
:TBF-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
;TBF-1CD
:TBF-1C conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
;TBF-1E
:TBF-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
;TBF-1J
:TBF-1 equipped for bad weather operations
;TBF-1L
:TBF-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
;TBF-1P
:TBF-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
;TBF-1CP
:TBF-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
;XTBF-2
:TBF-1 re-engined with a {{convert|1900|hp|kW|abbr=on}} XR-2600-10 engine.
;XTBF-3
:TBF-1 re-engined with {{convert|1900|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-2600-20 engines.
;TBF-3
:Planned production version of the XTBF-3, cancelled

===TBM===
;TBM-1
:as TBF-1. (550 built)
;TBM-1C
:as TBF-1C. (2336 built)
;TBM-1D
:TBM-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
;TBM-1E
:TBM-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
;TBM-1J
:TBM-1 equipped for all weather operations
;TBM-1L
:TBM-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
;TBM-1P
:TBM-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
;TBM-1CP
:TBM-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
;TBM-2
:One TBM-1 re-engined with a {{convert|1900|hp|kW|abbr=on}} XR-2600-10 engine.
;XTBM-3
:Four TBM-1C aircraft with {{convert|1900|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-2600-20 engines.
;TBM-3
:as TBM-1C, double cooling intakes, engine upgrade, minor changes. (4,011 built)
;TBM-3D
:TBM-3 conversion with centimetric radar in radome on right wing leading edge.
;TBM-3E
:as TBM-3, stronger airframe, search radar, ventral gun deleted. (646 built).
;TBM-3H
:TBM-3 conversion with surface search radar.
;TBM-3J
:TBM-3 equipped for all weather operations
;TBM-3L
:TBM-3 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
;TBM-3M
:TBM-3 conversion as a [[Tiny Tim rocket]] launcher.
;TBM-3N
:TBM-3 conversion for night attack.
;TBM-3P
:TBM-3 conversion for photo-reconnaissance.
;TBM-3Q
:TBM-3 conversion for electronic countermeasures, retained gun turret.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Rick |title=The Enigmatic TBM-3Q |url=http://rickmorganbooks.com/tbm-3q-avenger.html |website=Rick Morgan Books |access-date=21 May 2020}}</ref>
;TBM-3R
:TBM-3 conversions as seven-passenger, [[Carrier onboard delivery]] transport.
;TBM-3S
:TBM-3 conversion as an anti-submarine strike version.
;TBM-3U
:TBM-3 conversion as a general utility and target version.
;TBM-3W
:TBM-3 conversion as the first ship based airborne early warning control and relay platform with [[AN/APS-20]] radar in ventral radome.
;XTBM-4
:Prototypes based on TBM-3E with modified wing incorporating a reinforced center section and a different folding mechanism. (3 built)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rickard, J |title=Eastern XTBM-4 Avenger |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_eastern_XTBM-4_avenger.html |website=Military History Encyclopedia on the Web |access-date=18 Aug 2023}}</ref>
;TBM-4
:Production version of XTBM-4, 2,141 on order were cancelled.

===Royal Navy Avenger===
[[File:Avenger from HMS Victorious in flight c1944.jpg|thumb|An [[849 Naval Air Squadron|849 Squadron]] Avenger II from {{HMS|Victorious|R38}}, 1944]]
;Tarpon GR.I
:RN designation of the TBF-1, 400 delivered.
;Avenger Mk.II
:RN designation of the TBM-1/TBM-1C, 334 delivered.
;Avenger Mk.III
:RN designation of the TBM-3, 222 delivered
;Avenger Mk.IV
:RN designation of the TBM-3S, 70 cancelled
;Avenger AS4
:RN designation of the TBM-3E, delivered postwar with minimum modifications
;Avenger AS5
: RN designation of the TBM-3S, delivered postwar & fitted with British equipment
;Avenger AS6
: RN designation of the TBM-3S, fitted with British equipment including a centerline radome. A total of one hundred TBM-3E & TBM-3S were delivered to the Royal Navy in 1953.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Francillon |first1=Rene |title=Grumman Aircraft since 1929 |date=1989 |publisher=Putnam |isbn=0-85177-835-6 |page=189}}</ref>

===Royal Canadian Navy Avengers===
;Avenger AS3
:Modified by RCN for anti-submarine duty, dorsal gun turret removed, 98 built
;Avenger AS3M
:AS3 with magnetic anomaly detector boom added to rear fuselage
;Avenger Mk.3W2
:Similar to TBM-3W, with large ventral radome. 8 operated.

==Operators==
[[File:Grumman Avenger ExCC.jpg|thumb|Canadian Avenger AS3M with long tubular [[magnetic anomaly detector]] (MAD) boom along the portside lower rear fuselage]]
[[File:Onderzeebootbestrijdings- en aanvalsvliegtuig Grumman Avenger, reg.rn. A-28 (ex USN 53920) (1955-1960), op de catapult op vliegkampschip Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman (R81) (2158 024266).jpg|thumb|right|Royal Netherlands Navy TBM-3S2 anti-submarine attack variant used on aircraft carrier [[HNLMS Karel Doorman (R81)|''Karel Doorman'']] between 1955-1960.]]
[[File:TBF-1C 30 Sqn RNZAF on Espiritu Santo 1944.jpeg|thumb|A [[No. 30 Squadron RNZAF]] TBF-1C on [[Espiritu Santo]], 1944]]
[[File:JMSDF TBM-3W.jpg|thumb|[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] TBM-3W]]
;{{BRA}}
*[[Brazilian Navy]] operated three Avengers in the 1950s for deck crew training aboard the carrier [[Brazilian aircraft carrier Minas Gerais|Minas Gerais]] (A-11).
;{{flag|Canada|1921}}
*[[Royal Canadian Navy]] operated Avengers until replaced by the [[Grumman S-2 Tracker|CS2F Tracker]] in 1960.
;{{CUB}}
*[[Cuban Navy]] received 7 TBM-3S2 in 1956; however, they were out of service by 1960.
;{{flagu|France}}
*[[Aéronavale]] operated Avengers in the 1950s.
;{{flagu|Japan}}
*[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] operated Hunter-Killer Avengers groups in the 1950s and 1960s.
;{{NLD}}
*[[Royal Netherlands Navy]] – the [[Dutch Naval Aviation Service]] operated Avengers during the 1950s.
;{{NZL}}
*[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
** [[No. 30 Squadron RNZAF]]
** [[No. 31 Squadron RNZAF]]
** [[No. 41 Squadron RNZAF]]
** [[No. 42 Squadron RNZAF]]
** [[Central Fighter Establishment RNZAF|Central Fighter Establishment]]
;{{NIC}}
*[[Nicaraguan Air Force]]
;{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
*[[Royal Navy]] – [[Fleet Air Arm]]
** [[700 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[703 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[706 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[711 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[733 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[736 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[738 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[744 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[751 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[756 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[763 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[764 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[768 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[774 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[778 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[782 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[783 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[785 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[787 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[797 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[798 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[820 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[828 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[832 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[845 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[846 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[848 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[849 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[850 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[851 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[852 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[853 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[854 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[855 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[856 Naval Air Squadron]]
** [[857 Naval Air Squadron]]
;{{flagu|United States}}
*[[United States Navy]]
*[[United States Marine Corps]]
;{{URY}}
*[[Uruguayan Navy]] operated 16 TBF Avengers in the 1949 to 1963.

==Notable incidents==
* A famous incident involving the TBM / TBF Avenger aircraft was the disappearance of [[Flight 19]], a training flight of five Avengers that originated from [[Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale]] and was lost in December 1945 over the [[Bermuda Triangle]].
* During an airshow on 17 April 2021, TBM #91188 carried out a successful [[Water landing|ditching]] south of [[Cocoa Beach, Florida]] near [[Patrick Space Force Base]], in shallow surf.<ref>{{cite news |last= Perkins |first= Chris |date= 19 April 2021 |title= World War II-era plane lands in the ocean during air show at Cocoa Beach |work= South Florida Sun Sentinel |url= https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-air-show-emergency-landing-20210419-ihdjq554bfab7kzqffo4lhqzxe-story.html |access-date= 20 April 2021}}</ref> [[Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum|Valiant Air Command]], the group that owns the plane, recovered the TBM for transport to [[Titusville, Florida]] to undergo extensive repairs.<ref>{{cite news |last= Gallop |first= J. D. |date= 19 April 2021 |title= Plane that made emergency soft water landing in ocean on the move to Titusville for repairs |work= Florida Today |url= https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2021/04/18/vintage-aircraft-splash-landed-waves-just-off-patrick-space-force-base/7277672002/ |access-date= 20 April 2021}}</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
{{Main|List of surviving Grumman TBF Avengers}}

==Specifications (TBF Avenger)==
[[File:Grumman TBF Avenger 3-view line drawing.svg|300px|right|Grumman TBF-1 Avenger drawing]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II<ref name=FAoWWII>{{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II |editor-last1=Bridgman |editor-first1=Leonard |date=1989 |publisher=Military Press |location=New York |isbn=0517679647 |edition=1995 |pages=234–235}}</ref> Armament data from  Flight Journal.com<ref>[https://www.flightjournal.com/grumman-tbf-avenger Flight journal.com Grumman TBF Avenger]</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--   General characteristics
-->
|crew=3
|length ft=40
|length in=1/8
|length note=
|span ft=54
|span in=2
|span note=
|height ft=16
|height in=5
|height note=
|width ft=19
|width in=
|width note=folded
|wing area sqft=490
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 23015]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 23009]]<ref name="Lednicer 2010">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |date=15 August 2010 |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=UIUC Airfoil Data Site |publisher=UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=15536
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity='''Fuel''' {{cvt|330|USgal |impgal l|0}} in three center-section integral tanks + 2x {{cvt|58|USgal |impgal l|0}} droppable slipper tanks under outer wings, with provision for a jettisonable {{cvt|275|USgal |impgal l|0}} bomb-bay ferry tank.; '''Oil''' {{cvt|32|USgal |impgal l|0}}
|more general=
<!--   Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Wright R-2600-8 Twin Cyclone]]
|eng1 type=14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=1700
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=[[Hamilton Standard]] constant-speed propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=- helicopters -->
|rot area note=
<!--   Performance
-->
|max speed mph=278
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=215
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=905
|range note=at cruise speed
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=22600
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=1075
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.11|hp/lb}}{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
|more performance=<!--
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--  Armament
-->
|guns=<br>
**1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) nose-mounted [[M1919 Browning machine gun]] (on early models) or 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wing-mounted [[M2 Browning machine gun]]s
**1 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted M2 Browning machine gun
**1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted M1919 Browning machine gun
|bombs=<br>
**Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg)(can consist of 4×500 lb bombs) of bombs '''or'''
**1 × 2,000 lb (907 kg) [[Mark 13 torpedo]] or [[Mark 24 mine]] ('''Fido''') [[acoustic homing]] torpedo
|rockets=<br>
**up to eight [[3.5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket|3.5-Inch (89 mm) Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket]]s, 5-inch (127 mm) [[5-Inch Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket|Forward Firing Aircraft Rocket]]s or [[High Velocity Aerial Rocket]]s
|avionics=
}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-28 |title=The Grumman TBF Avenger, and New Model Arrivals at Flying Tigers. |url=https://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/2016/the-grumman-tbf-avenger-new-model-arrivals-at-flying-tigers/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Flying Tigers |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Aviation|Companies|United States}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aichi B7A]] Ryusei
* [[Consolidated TBY Sea Wolf]]
* [[Douglas TBD Devastator]]
* [[Douglas XTB2D Skypirate]]
* [[Fairey Barracuda]]
* [[Fairey Spearfish]]
* [[Nakajima B5N]]
* [[Nakajima B6N]] Tenzan
* [[Saab 17]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
|see also=
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Drendel |first=Lou |title=TBF/TBM Avenger Walk Around |location=Carrollton, Texas |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications |date=2001 |isbn=0-89747-424-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Drendel |first=Lou |chapter=Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger |title=U.S. Navy Carrier Bombers of World War II |location=Carrollton, Texas |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications |date=1987 |pages=89–120 |isbn=0-89747-195-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Fletcher |first=R. G. |title=Front Line Avenger Squadrons of the FAA |location=Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK |publisher=R.G. Fletcher |date=1995 |isbn=0-9518877-1-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Francillon |first=René |title=Grumman (Eastern) TBF (TBM) Avenger |series=Aircraft in Profile |volume=214 |location=London |publisher=Profile Publications |date=1970}}
* {{cite book |last=Geelen |first=Janic |title=The Topdressers |location=Auckland |publisher=NZ Aviation Press |date=1983 |isbn=0-9597642-0-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Hove |first=Duane |title=American Warriors: Five Presidents in the Pacific Theater of World War II |location=Shippensburg, Pennsylvania |publisher=Burd Street Press |date=2003 |isbn=1-57249-260-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=B. R. |last2=Doll |first2=Thomas E. |title=Grumman TBF/TBM "Avenger" |series=Aero Series |volume=21 |location=Fallbrook, California |publisher=Aero Publishers |date=1970 |isbn=0-8168-0580-6}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=B. R. |last2=Doll |first2=Thomas E. |title=Supplement to Grumman TBF/TBM "Avenger" |location=Fallbrook, California |publisher=Aero Publishers |date=1970 |isbn=0-8168-0582-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Kinzey |first=Bert |title=TBF & TBM Avenger in Detail & Scale |location=Carrollton, Texas |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications |date=1997 |isbn=1-888974-06-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Pelletier |first=Alain |title=Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=Editions Ouest-France |date=1981 |isbn=2-85882-311-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Prange |first1=Gordon William |collaboration=Goldstein, Donald M.; Dillon, Katherine V. |title=Miracle at Midway |location=New York |publisher=Viking |date=1983 |isbn=0-14-006814-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Scrivner |first=Charles L. |title=TBF/TBM Avenger in Action |location=Carrollton, Texas |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications |date=1987 |isbn=0-89747-197-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Skulski |first=Przemyslaw |title=Grumman Avenger |series=Seria Pod Lupa |volume=5 |language=pl |location=Wrocław, Poland |publisher=Ace Publications |date=1997 |isbn=83-86153-40-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Thetford |first1=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |year=1991 |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd |location= [[London]], UK |isbn=0-85177-849-6 }}
* {{cite book |last=Tillman |first=Barrett |title=Avenger at War |location=London |publisher=Ian Allan |date=1979 |isbn=0-7110-0957-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Tillman |first=Barrett |title=TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2 |location=Botley, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |date=1999 |isbn=1-85532-902-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Treadwell |first=Terry C. |title=Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger |location=Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |date=2001 |isbn=0-7524-2007-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Barry C. |title=The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings. |location=London |publisher=Chancellor Press |date=1992 |isbn=1-85152-582-3}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{YouTube|gId18EYl2kU|"Flying the Grumman TBF "Avenger" (1944)"}}
*[https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/48133 Pilot's handbook of flight operating instructions : Navy model TBM-3 airplane, British model Avenger III airplane] – [https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/ The Museum of Flight Digital Collections]

{{Grumman aircraft}}
{{General Motors aircraft}}
{{USN torpedo aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Grumman aircraft|TB01F Avenger]]
[[Category:1940s United States bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:General Motors aircraft|TB01M Avenger]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1941]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]