carrier-based aircraft development
In the original US Navy carrier-based aircraft which, with performance of the backward TBD style for the main destroyer torpedo bomber, then in 1939 the Navy Bianxiang major aerospace manufacturing industrial companies to seek a new generation of bombers ship, the last qualifying Grumman, and mass production of this model in 1942. Compared to the original TBD, TBF's performance has significantly improved dramatically, in addition to increased horsepower engine, the sleek design of the new cabin is equipped with bullet-proof glass, bullet-proof body armor is also more rugged. The length of the wing can be folded upwardly carrier type other than a number of machines is also longer, but also reduce the positions occupied by the carriers in the cabin. TBF attack capability compared to the Japanese-1997 ship attack also many more powerful, in addition to the 13 aviation torpedo equipped with a Mark, but also a load 2000 lbs or 500 lbs four bombs, speed brakes and flaps with design plus brake deceleration board, leaving TBF can have the same dive and dive-bomber attack capability, to become the number one killer of Japanese warships on the battlefield. March 1942 began, Yingeluman must produce F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat fighter, in order to reduce the production of pressure, will authorize generic manufacture TBF, while GM produced TBF is called TBM, the aircraft performance is very powerful, weighs 9 tons empty.
Performance parameters
XTBF-1 is mounted 1,700 horsepower prototype the TBF Wright R-2600-8 14 double cylinder radial engine, and has the following characteristics:
1, with folding wings. To accommodate the use of aircraft, and F6F Grumman TBF developed for a unique folding wing means, the wings can be folded body direction, thus saving a lot of storage space. This device is Leroy Grumman from accidental eraser and paperclips come in inspiration.
2,3 seat. A pilot, a gunner and after a bombardier and gunner abdomen.
3, electric rear seat turret. Navy should be required, install a back seat aircraft powered turret, it was originally equipped with a 7.62mm caliber machine gun.
4,3 very 7.62mm caliber machine guns. In front of a power turret mentioned. A nose for the pilot, shooting through the propeller. Another door mounted on the belly. Later variants increased weaponry.
5, a large bomb bay. Grumman designed a large bomb bay, can carry a 907kg torpedo or four 227kg bombs or additional fuel tanks.
6, large wing. Grumman logo. Large wing of the Grumman aircraft easy to drive, can easily make all levels of pilots take off and land on aircraft carriers.
War history
The earliest type of TBF-1 debut at the time of the Battle of Midway, but only six, plus the operating personnel are not familiar with, so at that time did not establish any military exploits . Under the low performance of TBD generally be treated as a target of zero-war situation, after the Battle of Midway, the Navy will be fully TBF on all the aircraft carrier facelift. Then in the second Battle of Solomon in August the same year they sank the Japanese light aircraft carrier Long Xiang number, followed November's Naval Battle of Guadalcanal also hit the battleship Hiei. In 1943, the new TBF-3 service, dress more powerful of the new Mark 15 torpedo aviation, but also increased the amount of output bombs to mount a stronger engine, also equipped with a water surface and anti-submarine radar, started to support the Atlantic battlefield hunting German U-Boat task; while models equipped for air and sea search radar has become all-weather attack aircraft can attack at night or rainy day. June 1944 war in the Philippines Sea sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Eagle numbers, then in Battle of Leyte Gulf and Cape Sea Battle Square, across the years has sunk large aircraft carriers Rui, as well as a symbol of the Imperial Navy of Japan with a combined fleet Musashi two warships, can be described as shining exploits.
opener
1942 Nian 6 May 4, Battle of Midway, only six TBF serving in the front line. These aircraft are to fly to Midway joined VT-8 squadron in three days ago. Langdon K. Fieberling lieutenant commander, the squadron did not even fly over some pilots out of sight of the island. (The famous eighth torpedo bombing squadron, as well as pilots in the "Hornet" flying the old Douglas "downtrodden" aircraft carrier.) But whether new or old pilots never saw combat.
Fieberling Lieutenant six TBF arrived at 7:10 am over the Japanese fleet divided, low altitude and flew to the aircraft carrier. Vulnerable torpedo bombers were "zero" rush to intercept. 2 TBF was shot down in the first attack, and then they were shot down three. Albert K. Earnest aware impossible to close, he threw away the torpedo, the chase to get rid of two "zero", flew back to Midway. Earnest is the only returning TBF, only to fly back to the time of longitudinal horizontal tail rudder easy to use, drop down when only one wheel, the torpedo compartment door is still open. Radio operator 3 other soldiers injured Harrier H. Ferrier, manipulating the tail 12.7mm machine gun Lance Corporal Jay D. Manning killed.
Eastern Solomons Battle
When the US occupation of Guadalcanal, Admiral Yamamoto immediately organized a large-scale counter-attack fleet. August 24, 1942 the two sides met the fleet, then only two US Navy aircraft carrier: "Saratoga" and "Enterprise". August, when Grumman has produced a large number of TBF, and has 24 in service on this two carriers.
"Saratoga," the VT-8 directed by Harold "Swede" Larsen, "business" VT-3 conducted by Charles M. Jett. From afternoon to evening, 26 sorties "The Avengers" for the 4-wave attack. The second wave of attack sank "Long Xiang" number, and a machine gunner Gibson claimed to have shot a dive bomber. The US Navy lost a total of seven "The Avengers."
Santa Cruz
In the fourth-largest aircraft encounters, "The Avengers" and did not contribute much.
The remaining two aircraft carriers in the Pacific, "enterprise" and "Hornet" was every ship carrying 14 "The Avengers." When the end of October, which the two carriers met an attempt to recapture Guadalcanal the Japanese fleet. Both sides of the reconnaissance aircraft found each other in the morning, and at the same time attacking the aircraft took off at a distance of 320 km away. "Enterprise" and "Hornet" sent a total of three waves of aircraft, a total of 73: 18 "The Avengers", 32 dive bombers and 23 Grumman F4F Wildcat.
VT-10 from the "Enterprise" is commanded by Maj. John A. Collett. He headed west, flew to the Japanese fleet, escaped on his way to fly to the US fleet Japanese planes. When the American planes found their targets when the Japanese fleet have been patrolling fighters and anti-aircraft fire shot down most of the aircraft. SBD successfully attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier, but a TBF did not hit the target. Maj. John A. Collett's "The Avengers" was shot down, "Zero." He and his radio operator Lance Corporal Thomas C. Nelson is seen to escape from the plane parachute. Nelson finally captured as prisoners of war until after the war. Collett was no news.
first few battle showing the advantages and disadvantages of this aircraft. TBF's biggest problem is not self-inflicted, but the first two years of World War II US Navy torpedo caused by unreliable. Just do not torpedo explosion (regardless bomb at any height and in any case). Mark 13 torpedoes very fragile, we must be less than 210km / H bomb job from low speed. 3.5m underwater torpedo forward, hit the target often do not explode, or explode in advance. So there are many tasks are to mount TBF 227kg of bombs. "The Avengers" can perform a variety of roles: torpedo bombers, horizontal bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, mine-laying machine, and so on. Because radio has a perfect, easy handling, long-range and extra seating, the aircraft often used as airborne brigade command of the aircraft.
sunk "Hiei" was - i.
The TBF done a great Navy and Marine Corps in November 1942. Led by Major Paul Moret Corps Reconnaissance Squadron bombing 131 (VMSB-131) of the TBF-1 at this critical month arrived in Guadalcanal. They arrived at No. 12, just in time for the Japanese last large-scale attacks. Japanese fleet flagship is 37,000 tons of "Hiei" battleship. No. 12 as late as the 13th morning, the United States and Japan, surface ships with each other on the radio, the Japanese fleet as well as 14 inches gun bombardment of Henderson Field, which is the famous "Battle of Guadalcanal." Navy lost two cruisers and four destroyers, sank two Japanese destroyers and injured "Hiei" battleship. In the morning time, although the airport is full of craters, but the Americans still able flew. Meanwhile "Enterprise" aircraft carrier ambush in the south at 480km.
6:00, dive bombers attacked the first "Hiei" sign. After one hour, the TBF Marine Corps Moret throwing a torpedo hit, "Hiei." Around 10:00, they strike again, and gave "Hiei" was eating a torpedo.
Soon, the "Enterprise" of "The Avengers" has added to the fight. Aviation Fleet commander John Crommelin sent 15 Grumman TBF. These aircraft attacked "Hiei" number, and then landed at Henderson Field. When the plane took off, Crommelin can not know whether Henderson Airport in enemy hands, anyway, aircraft fuel is not enough to fly back to "business" numbers. So tragic pilots took off, it might be one way to perform this mission. Aircraft arrived over the "Hiei" was at 11:20 am. Then the sky has been covered with smoke. "Hiei" was used in the night without being damaged heavy artillery returned fire, even a 14-inch guns also joined. "The Avengers" front side "Hiei" tilt launch torpedoes, has three hits, but "Hiei" was still floating. "Enterprise" of "The Avengers" in Henderson Airport, when found they were greeted by the friendly American soldiers when sigh of relief.
6 Jia Moret Major's "The Avengers" again attacked the "Hiei," No, there are two hits. On this day, the dive bombers and battleships F4F turns to attack this. At twilight, "Hiei" was already doomed sinking, Admiral Abe Seimei ordered to abandon ship. TBF completed the first battle victory. After
retrofit
TBF-1C
in the production of hundreds of aircraft TBF-1, the next modification made some improvements, this is the TBF -1C. Single 7.62mm machine gun aircraft fuselage is replaced by two 12.7mm machine guns on the wing. Power turret is still equipped with 12.7mm caliber machine gun. Internal bomb bay tank with two wing tanks so that the "Avenger" fuel capacity doubled from 335 increased to 726 liters. TBM-1C also have the same improvement.
TBM-3
in the beginning of 1944, GM began producing TBM-3, attached greater horsepower (1,900 hp) R-2600-20 engine, the wings can be tank mount or rockets. Produced more than 4,600 aircraft TBM-3, which is the largest production of one model. However, until February 1945, serving on the aircraft carrier as well as a large part of the old model. Until the day of the Japanese surrender, aircraft torpedo squadron before facelift to TBM-3.
use of national
The French Navy
British Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Navy
The Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal Netherlands Navy
Brazilian Navy
Uruguayan Navy
Japan Air Self-Defense Force