Description
This distinctive three-man bomber/torpedo bomber made its debut in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, with disastrous results: only one of the six aircraft that took off made it back to base. Despite getting off to a bad start the Avenger soon won the affection of its crews and the respect of its adversaries, quickly becoming the standard carrier bomber of the U.S. Navy. Over 9,000 Avengers were built and many were supplied to allied nations: they were used extensively on all fronts and they inflicted heavy losses on enemy shipping, whether surface or submarine. The Avenger continued its career after the Second World War: over 500, often specialised versions, saw service with the U.S. Navy and in many other nations including Japan – which ironically was the country against which the TBF had begun its operations.
Six versions are included in the kit as follows;
A) TBF C USS Natoma, February 1944
B) TBM-1, USS Mission Bay, December 1943
C) TBM-1, USS Block Island, January 1944
D) TBM-1, RNAZAF, Whenvapai, 1944
E) Tarpon Mk.1, No. 846 Sqn, Fleet Air Arm, 1944
F) TBM-1, USS San Jacinto, July 1944
