General Motors (Eastern) TBM-3 Avenger

[Nostalgistic 312]

Hello! Today, I am introducing General Motors (Eastern) TBM-3 Avenger, a final major modification and the most produced variant of the Avenger during World War II.

Overview

Aircraft: General Motors (Eastern) TBM-3 Avenger

 

Role: Torpedo Bomber /  Naval Aircraft / Light Bomber

 

Snapshot:

Background

Spoiler

In December 1943, Grumman was retired from its production of TBF-1C Avengers and shifted to producing its F6F Hellcats. Subsequently, General Motors was assigned to continue the production of greatly demanded Avengers, and the Avengers in production of General Motors were designated TBM. The upgrades of the Avenger were greatly needed as the war advanced. So, in the middle of 1944, General Motors began the massive production of the TBM-3 variant. The variant of the TBM-3 Avenger featured a powerful engine, redesigned cowling, new intake, and new hardpoints for drop tanks and rockets. TBM-3 Avenger saw extensive actions in the Pacific War and Battle of the Atlantic. At the closure of World War II, General Motors produced +4,000 TMB-3s while Grumman produced +700 TBF-1Cs. Undeniably, the Avengers played important roles during World War II as effective ship killers.

 

Specifications

 

General Characteristics

• Crew: 3 (Pilot, Bombardier, and Turret Gunner)
• Length: 40 feet 11.5 inches (12.48 meters)
• Height: 16 feet 4.5 inches (4.99 meters)
• Width: 19 feet folded (5.79 meters)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 18,100 lb (8,210 kg)
• Span: 54 feet 2 inches (16.50 meters)
• Powerplant: Wright Cyclone C-14BB (R-2600-20)

 

Performance

• Maximum Speed: 276 mph (444.18 kph)
• Combat Range: 1,000 miles (1609.34 kilometers)
• Service Ceiling: 30,100 feet (9174.48 meters)
• Rate of Climb:

Cockpit (Attached with YouTube Video)

Spoiler

Armament

Guns

• 2 x 12.7mm (0.5 in.) Forward-Firing Machine Guns
• 1 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) Dorsal-Mounted Machine Gun
• 1 x 7.62 mm (0.3 in.) Ventral-Mounted Machine Gun

 

Bombs

• 12 x 100 lb Class Bombs
• 4 x 500 lb Class Bombs
• 1 x 1000 lb G.P. Bombs
• 2 x 1000 lb A.P. Bombs
• 1 x 1600 lb A.P. Bombs
• 1 x 2000 lb G.P. Bombs

 

Misc

• Smoke Tank (Used to lay smoke screen for allied warships)

 

Rockets

• 8 x 5-inch HVARs

Torpedo

• 1 x Torpedo Mark 13 Mod. 2

 

Notes (Attached with Another YouTube Video):
 

Spoiler

TBM-3 Avenger did have a ventral (under the tail) .30 cal gun turret despite the pilot’s handbook showing that the TBM-3 Avenger’s ventral gunner was omitted. Evidence was provided:

Later TBM-3 Avenger models removed the ventral turret because it was deemed unnecessary.

Images

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

Conclusion

TBM-3 Avenger went through extensive upgrades to replace the older TBF-1C with a new engine and diverse armament and was proven to be an effective tool for the US Navy during World War II. It is a solid addition to the US Aviation Tech Tree as an upgrade over TBF-1C.

Sources

Primary

• Pilot's Handbook of Flight Operating Instructions: Navy Model TBM-3 Airplane, British Model Avenger III Airplane, 15 June 1945

 

Secondary

• https://www.worldwariiaviation.org/grumman-tbm-avenger/
• http://www.airvectors.net/avtbm.html
• https://www.si.edu/object/grumman-tarpon-i-tbf-1-avenger%3Anasm_A19610117000
• http://www.warbirdalley.com/tbf.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_TBF_Avenger

 

Thank you for your time reading!

 

Edited April 8, 2022 by Nostalgistic
Images Broken (Fixed and Reuploaded)

[ItssLuBu 1,800]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,854]

"Most-produced variant"  
 

Spoiler

 

+1 for sure.

Edited February 6, 2022 by Milocat

[Headnaught 503]

Don't think this would shake up the game a whole lot but it would be a neat addition for sure. +1 for me

[hienapunk 1,064]

Was there any avenger variant that could use tiny tims?

[Nostalgistic 312]

8 minutes ago, hienapunk said:

Was there any avenger variant that could use tiny tims?

 

TBM-3M Avenger is the only TBM Avenger variant that was converted and modified to equip the Tiny Tim launcher during post-war missile development programs IIRC.

[hienapunk 1,064]

Just now, Martin_Marauder said:

 

TBM-3M Avenger is the only TBM Avenger variant that was converted and modified to equip the Tiny Tim launcher during post-war missile development programs IIRC.

 

I've looked at it myself and it seems it could hold a single tiny tim in the bomb bay like a torpedo.

[Nostalgistic 312]

11 minutes ago, hienapunk said:

I've looked at it myself and it seems it could hold a single tiny tim in the bomb bay like a torpedo.

Yeah, that is it.

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

Always in favor of more WW2 stuff.

[RWGWAG@live 7]

+1

 

We have three B6Ns with minimal differences meanwhile the TBM-3 would bring a lot more differences and upgrades to the old TBF-1C.