| HOBBY MASTER COLLECTOR |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA1209 - Grumman Avenger TBF-1C, 58-C-26, VC-58, USS Block Island, January 11, 1944, first USN rocket attack on a U-boat |
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES TAKEN EARLY IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE OF THE MODEL AND ARE INTENDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT THE FINISHED MODEL WILL LOOK LIKE. |
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.
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.
By 1939 the Douglas Devastator needed to be replaced. The USN tendered for a torpedo bomber with
greater range, could carry a larger payload than the Devastator’s, was faster and more durable.
Grumman was awarded the contract to deliver their TBF. During the same time as the grand roll out of
the new aircraft word came that there had been a disaster. The date was December 7, 1941 Japan had
just attacked Pearl Harbor. This would be the start of what would turn out to be one of the best WWII
aircraft ever produced. It was because of Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor that the aircraft received its
appropriate name, Avenger.
The convoys in the Atlantic Ocean were crucial for the supplying England and Allied troops with
everything from food to fighters. If the ships didn’t get through it would mean WWII would continue for
much longer and cost unimaginable numbers of lives. A team system was developed to handle the
situation. It was comprised of Destroyers protecting Escort Aircraft Carriers (CVEs) that were the base
for TBF and F4Fs. Using their ability for long endurance and a large payload of multiple 250-pound, 325-
pound, or (most often) 500-pound depth bombs and rockets the Avengers would search for surfaced U-
boats and then dive on them releasing their torpedoes. Sometimes due to flak fire from the subs the
TBF would stand off out of range of the guns while an F4F Wildcat would be called in. With its large
machine guns and speed the F4F would put an end to the flak fire giving the TBF time to move in and
drop the torpedo. Some figures say over 35 U-boats were sunk by US air groups using this method. This
doesn’t take into account the subs that were sunk by British Avengers that operated from land bases.
The crew of Lt. (jg) Leonard McFord spotted one such sub and is credited with the first use of rockets by
a US aircraft to attack a submarine. One other notable incident was the sinking of the Japanese
submarine I-52 in 1943. It was in the Atlantic and carrying a stockpile of items that were needed by
Germany who in turn were going to supply Japan with much needed items. The sub was spotted and
attacked by 2 Avengers from USS Bogue that sent the I-52 to the bottom.
There was a total 9,839 Avengers produced in all variants with 2,293 TBFs being built by Grumman. The
other 7,546 were TBMs built by Eastern Aircraft, a subsidiary of General Motors.
TBF-1C Specifications
Dimensions
Length: 40' 11.5"
Height: 16' 9"
Wing Span: 54' 2"
Weight
Max Weight: 17,364 lbs
Empty Weight: 10,500 lbs
Engine & Power
1 X Wright R-2600-8 radial engine
Power: 1700 HP at sea level
Performance
Stall Speed: 77 mph IAS
Max Speed: 249 mph
Ceiling: 21,400 ft
Rate of climb: 1,400 fpm at sea level
Range: 1,100 miles
Armament
2 X .50 cal machine guns in turret
2 X .50 cal machine guns in wing
1 X .30 gun in tail
Various bombs or torpedo.
greater range, could carry a larger payload than the Devastator’s, was faster and more durable.
Grumman was awarded the contract to deliver their TBF. During the same time as the grand roll out of
the new aircraft word came that there had been a disaster. The date was December 7, 1941 Japan had
just attacked Pearl Harbor. This would be the start of what would turn out to be one of the best WWII
aircraft ever produced. It was because of Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor that the aircraft received its
appropriate name, Avenger.
The convoys in the Atlantic Ocean were crucial for the supplying England and Allied troops with
everything from food to fighters. If the ships didn’t get through it would mean WWII would continue for
much longer and cost unimaginable numbers of lives. A team system was developed to handle the
situation. It was comprised of Destroyers protecting Escort Aircraft Carriers (CVEs) that were the base
for TBF and F4Fs. Using their ability for long endurance and a large payload of multiple 250-pound, 325-
pound, or (most often) 500-pound depth bombs and rockets the Avengers would search for surfaced U-
boats and then dive on them releasing their torpedoes. Sometimes due to flak fire from the subs the
TBF would stand off out of range of the guns while an F4F Wildcat would be called in. With its large
machine guns and speed the F4F would put an end to the flak fire giving the TBF time to move in and
drop the torpedo. Some figures say over 35 U-boats were sunk by US air groups using this method. This
doesn’t take into account the subs that were sunk by British Avengers that operated from land bases.
The crew of Lt. (jg) Leonard McFord spotted one such sub and is credited with the first use of rockets by
a US aircraft to attack a submarine. One other notable incident was the sinking of the Japanese
submarine I-52 in 1943. It was in the Atlantic and carrying a stockpile of items that were needed by
Germany who in turn were going to supply Japan with much needed items. The sub was spotted and
attacked by 2 Avengers from USS Bogue that sent the I-52 to the bottom.
There was a total 9,839 Avengers produced in all variants with 2,293 TBFs being built by Grumman. The
other 7,546 were TBMs built by Eastern Aircraft, a subsidiary of General Motors.
TBF-1C Specifications
Dimensions
Length: 40' 11.5"
Height: 16' 9"
Wing Span: 54' 2"
Weight
Max Weight: 17,364 lbs
Empty Weight: 10,500 lbs
Engine & Power
1 X Wright R-2600-8 radial engine
Power: 1700 HP at sea level
Performance
Stall Speed: 77 mph IAS
Max Speed: 249 mph
Ceiling: 21,400 ft
Rate of climb: 1,400 fpm at sea level
Range: 1,100 miles
Armament
2 X .50 cal machine guns in turret
2 X .50 cal machine guns in wing
1 X .30 gun in tail
Various bombs or torpedo.
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