Watch the World War II training film used to familiarize new pilots with the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber live over the Internet.-
Flying the TBF Avenger ---
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More Neat TBF/TBM Stuff (Click Here)
Performance charts, cockpit photos, systems diagrams and more. These are images excerpts from an original pilot's manual

The Avenger was a tough and accurate bomber that had a reputation for taking punishment and bringing it's crew home. Relatively easy to fly, the big Avenger was surprisingly nimble. The TBF could pack up to 500 lb bombs or one Mk1 13-2 torpedo, and with all three tanks topped up with 335 gallons of fuel, could strike targets up to 260 miles away. More than 7,500 TBF/TBM Avengers were produced in 20 variants, which fought with distinction in most major naval battles in the Pacific and was well liked by the Royal navy. The 'TBF" version was originally designed and produced by Grumman,: the "TBM" was produced by General Motors.
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Vital Statistics Grumman TBF-1 Avenger
Type

Three seat carrier based toprdo-bomber

Power Plant

One 1,700-hp (1268-kW) Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone 14-cylinder two row radial

Performance

Maximum Speed: 271 mph (436 km/h); long range cruise 145 mph (233 km/h)

Range on internal fuel tanks 1,105 miles (1778 km)

Climb rate 1,430 ft/m (7.3 m/sec.)

Service Ceiling: 22,400 ft. (6830 m)

Weights:

Empty (TBF-1C): 10,555 lb (4788 kg)

Max. Takeoff: 17,364 (7876 kg)
Dimensions

Span: 54 ft 2in. (16.51 m)

Length: 40 ft 0.2 in. (12.2m)

Height: 16 ft. 5 in (5 m)

Wing Area: 490 sq. ft .(45.52 m2)

Armament

2 X 0.5 in. (12.7mm) and 1X 0.3 in. ( 7.62 mm) machine guns firing forward, 1 X 0.5 in. (12.7mm) machine gun in ventral turret, 1X .3 in. ( 7.62 mm ) machine gun in lower rear

Bomb & Torpedo Load

Internal bay:

ß1 X 22.7 in. (577mm) torpedo

or

Up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) other stores

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Zeno visted this beautiful TBM maintained by the Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Click here to see the photos .
You can order a full screen copy of Flying the TBF plus
* Black Cat PBY
* Torpedo Attack!
* How to Fly the Navy SB2A-4 Dive Bomber
* Deploying Aerial Mines
* Introduction to Dive Bombing
* 66 page Douglass SBD3 Dauntless dive bomber manual
* 117 page Grumman TBF/TBM pilot's manual with photos, systems diagrams, performance charts, flight procedures & more, all on our new
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and don't miss the
"Fighting Lady/Carrier Ops DVD!
* The Fighting Lady (1944,Color, 60:00) Restored Color
"The Fighting Lady follows the fictional career of an Essex Class aircraft carrier from the Marcus Islands campaign, through Tinian, Truk, the "Mariana's Turkey Shoot" and much more. But don't let the term "fictionalized" miss lead you. All of the footage shown in this fascinating composite documentary is real -- shot by combat cameramen on board ship and in the air, showing actual Navy and Marine pilots and crewmen up close and personal. ("The Fighting Lady was actually the nickname given to the Yorktowns, CV-5 & CV-10.)
Plus two new videos:
 * Flight Deck Crews: Landing & Re-Spotting Aircraft
(1943, Color 25:00)
* Flight Deck Crews: Catapulting from an Aircraft Carrier (1944, Color 25:00) Major air battles in the Pacific turned on the ability of each side to quickly launch, land, re-arm, re-fuel, and then re-launch aircraft. During the battle of  Midway, when American dive bombers caught the Japanese carriers Akagi and Kaga with decks full of refueling and re-arming planes, the resulting catastrophe for the IJN was a turning point in World War II. These unique films offer a rare look (in color) at how US Navy carrier flight deck crews were trained to quickly land, park, fuel & re-arm incoming and relaunch aircraft. As a bonus, you'll see GM FM-1 "Wildcats" and Grumman TBF "Avengers" up close, handled expertly on the tiny deck of a CVE "jeep" escort carrier. "Not to be missed by any carrier fan!"  Zeno
* And a high resolution reproduction of a 76 page F4F/FM2 Wildcat pilot's manual in.pdf file format. Contains photos, systems diagrams, performance charts, procedures & more.
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