| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA1204 - TBF-1C "Avenger" NZ2518 "Plonky" 30 Squadron, RNZAF, Piva, Bougainville, 1944 |
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES THE RETAIL VERSION WILL BE MORE REFINED |
Die-cast metal.
Superb detailing in 1/72
scale.
Pre-painted with pad
applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Weapons that are not
permanently attached.
Display stand included.
Option to display model
with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable.
Superb detailing in 1/72
scale.
Pre-painted with pad
applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Weapons that are not
permanently attached.
Display stand included.
Option to display model
with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable.
9839 Avengers were built (2293 by Grumman, and 7546 by General Motors) with the RNZAF operating 48
TBF-1s from 1943-1959 and 42 of them being TBF-1Cs. The planes were assigned to 30 and 31
Squadrons for dive-bombing, spraying and drogue towing. After WWII they were transferred to 41 and 42
Squadrons where they were dedicated drogue-towers. The majority of the Avengers were returned to the
USN and FAA, 6 were sold for scrap. Counting the U.S.A. 7 countries had the Avenger in their inventory.
In 1943 NZ2518 arrived in New Zealand was assembled for 30 Squadron. Pilot Fredd Ladd, later a well-
known aviation author, named it “Plonky”. Since Ladd didn’t drink alcohol so he thought it funny to have a
comic beer barrel pouring the contents down on the enemy. Plonky went to 31 Squadron in June 1944 and
while on a mission was hit by flak. It burst into flames, dove into the ground, killing pilot F/L C. Prior and
crew. It was several years before the wreckage was found.
TBF-1s from 1943-1959 and 42 of them being TBF-1Cs. The planes were assigned to 30 and 31
Squadrons for dive-bombing, spraying and drogue towing. After WWII they were transferred to 41 and 42
Squadrons where they were dedicated drogue-towers. The majority of the Avengers were returned to the
USN and FAA, 6 were sold for scrap. Counting the U.S.A. 7 countries had the Avenger in their inventory.
In 1943 NZ2518 arrived in New Zealand was assembled for 30 Squadron. Pilot Fredd Ladd, later a well-
known aviation author, named it “Plonky”. Since Ladd didn’t drink alcohol so he thought it funny to have a
comic beer barrel pouring the contents down on the enemy. Plonky went to 31 Squadron in June 1944 and
while on a mission was hit by flak. It burst into flames, dove into the ground, killing pilot F/L C. Prior and
crew. It was several years before the wreckage was found.
| Specifications Grumman Avenger AS Mk.IV / TBM-3S (post war designation) Wingspan: 52 ft. 2 in. Length: 40 ft. Height: 16 ft. 5 in. Empty Weight: 10,843 lbs. Maximum Weight: 18,250 lbs. Power-plant: one Wright R-2600-20 rated at 1,900 hp Armament: two forward firing .50 caliber machine guns, one mounted in each wing One .50 caliber machine gun in a Grumman 150SE power turret 8 x 5 inch HVAR (High Velocity Aerial Rockets) 4 x 500 lb. bombs or 1 x torpedo Performance: 267 mph @ 16,000 ft. Service Ceiling: 23,400 ft. Crew: three |
