TBM Avenger – Erickson Aircraft Collection

The TBM Avenger was a premier WWII American torpedo bomber, the largest single-engine aircraft of the war, introduced in 1942 to replace the Douglas Devastator.

Designed to maximize deck space on crowded aircraft carriers with its signature side-folding wings, it was also a pioneer in aerial weaponry as the first American warplane to have an internal bay capable of housing a massive 22-inch torpedo.

It was famously piloted by future President George H.W. Bush, who survived being shot down in one during a 1944 mission. Beyond its role in dropping torpedoes, the Avenger was a versatile platform used for glide-bombing and search-and-rescue.

Its durability was so legendary that it remained in service through the 1960s across several nations, eventually finding a second life as a heavy-duty aerial firefighter, dropping retardant on forest fires long after the war ended.

Learn more:  https://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/grumman-tbm-avenger/

The museum’s Avenger is a General Motors-built TBM-3E, carefully restored to its original condition by Pacific Fighters in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It proudly wears the authentic markings of a VT-40 squadron aircraft, modeled after those based aboard the USS Suwannee in 1945.

The flat, dull paint scheme is intentional and historically accurate, reflecting the rugged, non-glare finish required for combat operations in 1945.

Learn more:  https://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/grumman-tbm-avenger/

The TBM Avenger will be expected to showcase its massive size and roaring engine rumble. It often shows off its unique wings that fold, a legendary design that allowed these giants to tuck their wings flat against their fuselage for life on crowded carrier decks.

The warbird truly comes alive as it performs tactical passes featuring formation flights and demonstrations with pyrotechnics to recreate its legacy as a torpedo bomber.

Learn more:  https://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/grumman-tbm-avenger/