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TBM Avenger
Statistics for TBM Avenger
type
Three-seat Carrier-based Torpedo Bomber
manufacturer
Grumman
powerplant
One 1268-kW (1700-hp) Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone 14-cylinder radial piston engine
maximum speed
436 km/h (270 mph) at 5030 m (15,000 ft)
climb rate
435 m/min (1425 fpm)
range
1778 km (1100 miles)
service ceiling
6830 m (22,400 ft)
Armament
(TBF-1C) two fixed forward-firing 12.7-mm (.50-cal) machine guns; one 12.7- mm machine gun in rear turret; one 7.62-mm (.30-cal) machine gun in ventral position; 907 kg (2000 lb) of bombs or one torpedo in internal bomb-bay
weights
Empty 4788 kg (10,534 lb) Maximum take-off 7876 kg (17,327 lb)
dimensions
Span 16.51 m (54 ft 2 in) Length 12.20 m (40 ft) Height 5.00 m (16 ft 5 in) Wing area 45.52 m2 (490 sq ft)
Early TBM Avengers went into Navy service in time for the June 1942 Battle of Midway. The Avenger played a pivotal role in the Pacific because of its effectiveness against the Japanese fleet and its rugged resistance to enemy fire. Avenger's three man crew included a pilot, a rear gunner in a powered turret and a bombardier/ gunner in the plane's belly.