As its name suggests, the Avenger meted out severe retribution on the Japanese in the Pacific, participating in every major engagement through to VJ-Day. As a key weapon of war, the Avenger was so highly valued by the US Navy that its demand for the aircraft soon outstripped Grumman's production capacity, so General Motors [GM] was contracted to build the near identical TBM from September 1942 onwards. Over 1000 Avengers also saw action with the Fleet Air Arm in both the Atlantic and the Pacific through to VJ-Day, and two squadrons of RNZAF TBDs fought alongside American Avengers on Bougainville in 1944.
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Well-Rounded Introduction to Grumman's Avenger!:
The TBF/TBM Avenger saw global service in World War II, serving with U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Fleet Air Arm and Royal New Zealand units. Entering service in June 1942 the Avenger became one of the Navy's main strike aircraft and a first-class sub-killer in its own right. Noted aviation historian Barrett Tillman relates the combat career of Grumman's portly but potent torpedo bomber in this Osprey 'Combat Aircraft' book, #16 in the series. The Avenger's combat introduction came in the Battle of Midway,... more info
