Hobby Master HA1223 | Grumman TBF-1 Avenger 8-T-1, VT-8, NAS Norfolk, May 1942

General Background:

Just prior to the start of WW II the USN started to look for a replacement for their aging Douglas Devastator. Grumman won the USN contract and delivered a huge rotary engine that was enclosed in a barrel like fuselage to cut down on drag and a fuselage and wing lengths that would accommodate a three-man crew. The aircraft was officially known as the TBF/TBM Avenger but would come to receive the affectionate name of “The Turkey”. The first delivery came in time for the Battle of Midway June 1942.

The Aircraft:

In early 1942 Avengers began to arrive at NAS Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to VT-8. This made the squadron the first front-line unit to be equipped with the TBF-1 Avenger. The first to arrive was 8-T-1 BuNo 00380 wearing the inter-war red tail stripes and circle within the star insignia. Six VT-8 Avengers were sent to Pearl Harbor and on to Midway arriving just before the Battle of Midway. During this battle the 6 TBF-1s from VT-8 flew against the Japanese forces and 8-T-1 was the only Avenger to survive the encounter.

Specifications for the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger
Type - Carrier based Torpedo bomber
Manufacturer - Grumman Aircraft
Models: TBF (manufactured by Grumman) and TBM (manufactured by a GM
subsidiary) series Crew – (3) Pilot / Radio Operator / Rear Gunner
First Flight - August 1, 1941
Service Delivery - January 30, 1942
Dimensions
Wing Span - 54 ft. 2 in. (16.5 m)
Length - 40 ft. (12.2 m)
Length - 40 ft. 11.5 in. (12.48 m)
Height - 16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Weight
Empty - 10,100 lb (4,580 kg)
Maximum - 15,905 lb (7,214 kg)
Performance
Engine – (1) Wright R-2600-8 Double cyclone, 14-cylinder dual-row radial, 1,700 h