BODY {font-family:"Arial"; font-size:18;margin:0px;padding:0px;text-align:center;min-width:779px;} #centerwrapper {text-align:left;width:779px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}

Dauntless Aviation
 
FAA Written Test Prep
Checkride Oral Exam Prep
Pilot eLogbook System
Aircraft Systems Reviews
EASA Theory Exam Prep
China ATPL Theory Prep
UK PPL/IMC Theory Prep
Transport Canada Theory Exam Prep
Aircraft Recognition Tutor
SimPlates IFR Plates
FAR/AIM Reference
All Software and Apps
Aviation Freebies
Free Aircraft Checklists
MetalWings Diecast
 
Products by Platform
 
Support
Knowledgebase / FAQ
Contact
Employment
SBD Dauntless
 
Bulk Purchases
Site/Lab Licensing
Affiliate Program
 
Home

Diecast Aircraft Information  Diecast Aircraft Information MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation
Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1219
Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
White 86 of VC-88, USS Saginaw Bay, March 1945
Die-cast metal.
Superb detailing in 1/72 scale.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Weapons are not permanently attached
Bomb bay can be displayed open or closed.
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable.


Specifications for the Avenger
General characteristics -
Crew: 3
Dimensions -
Length: 40 ft. 11.5 in. (12.48 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft. 2 in. (16.51 m)
Height: 15 ft. 5 in. (4.70 m)
Wing area: 490.02 ft. sq. (45.52 m sq.)
Weight -
Empty: 10,545 lb. (4,783 kg)
Loaded: 17,893 lb. (8,115 kg)
Power plant: 1 Wright R-2600-20 radial engine producing 1,900 hp  
(1,420 kW)
Performance -
Maximum speed: 276 mph (444km/h)
Range: 1,000 miles  (1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 30,100 ft  (9,170 m)
Rate of climb: 2,060 ft/min  (10.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 36.5 ft-lbf sq  (178 kg/m sq)
Armament -
1x 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) nose-mounted machine gun
2 x 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) wing-mounted machine guns
1 x 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) dorsal-mounted machine gun
1 x 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted machine gun
Up to 2,000 lb  (900 kg) of bombs
1 x 2,000 lb (900 kg) torpedo
Just prior to the start of WW II the USN started to look for a replacement for their aging
Douglas Devastator. Grumman made a presentation of a prototype labeled as XTBF-1 that
impressed the USN and they placed an order to purchase. The plane was perfect for the
Navy needs, a huge rotary engine that was enclosed in a barrel like fuselage to cut down on
drag, and with some increase in the fuselage and wing lengths would accommodate a three-
man crew. Production on what was now officially known as the TBF/TBM Avenger and
would come to receive the affectionate name of “The Turkey” from the pilots that flew them
began in 1941 with first delivery just in time for the Battle of Midway in June 1942. What
started out as a carrier borne torpedo bomber soon turned into a close-support bomber, a
patrol aircraft and even a trainer.


From January 1945 until March 1945 the USS Saginaw Bay provided air cover for the
invasion of Iwo Jima and VC-88 lost one TBM-3. March 1, 1945 the 5th Fleet begins its raids
on the Ryukyu Islands in preparation for the major assault on Okinawa. On March 24, 1945,
one day before the start of the invasion USS Saginaw Bay arrived on station off Okinawa
and provided air support to the invading forces with VC-88 losing one TBM-3. USS Saginaw
Bay left for the U.S. on April 29, 1945.
MetalWings.com

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.


  • This is not a retail site. You cannot buy models here.
  • Thanks to Dauntless Aviation for providing web hosting and other support for this site. Real or sim pilot? Check out their stuff!
  • This is not an official site of any manufacturer or retailer. Information provided here may be incomplete or in error. Use at your own risk.
  • This is not an "advice" site. Please do not contact us asking about these models. Please contact a manufacturer or retailer with your questions or comments.
  • Please update your links!
    • Update HomePage links from the HMC website to either www.MetalWings.com or, preferably, www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings.
    • Update your page links to this page from HMCwebsite/HA1219.html to http://www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings/HA1219.asp
  • This site will be modified over time. We are well aware of its many issues, including missing images and bad formatting.

© 2024 Dauntless Aviation • 4950C York Road 110, Buckingham, PA, 18912, USA • Contact UsPrivacy Policy