GRUMMAN TBM3 AVENGER
TBM-3
Unit: 17 Air Group, US Navy
Serial: 309
CV-17 USS Bunker Hill, Pacific Ocean 1944-1945.
The Avenger was designed to replace the TBD Devastator as the torpedo plane used by the U.S. Navy. While its initial combat debut at the Battle of Midway was not very impressive (only six were available, and five of those were shot down), eventually the Avenger came into its own, despite being hampered by the poor quality of U.S. torpedoes during most of the war. It featured a long internal torpedo bay that could also carry large bombs, and later in the war Avengers fired rockets from underwing mounts at ground and ship targets. Its most characteristic feature was a revolvable gun turret with a .50 caliber machine gun that that was operated by the rear gunner.
GRUMMAN TBM3 AVENGER
TBM-3
Unit: 17 Air Group, US Navy
Serial: 309
CV-17 USS Bunker Hill, Pacific Ocean 1944-1945.
The Avenger was designed to replace the TBD Devastator as the torpedo plane used by the U.S. Navy. While its initial combat debut at the Battle of Midway was not very impressive (only six were available, and five of those were shot down), eventually the Avenger came into its own, despite being hampered by the poor quality of U.S. torpedoes during most of the war. It featured a long internal torpedo bay that could also carry large bombs, and later in the war Avengers fired rockets from underwing mounts at ground and ship targets. Its most characteristic feature was a revolvable gun turret with a .50 caliber machine gun that that was operated by the rear gunner.