TBM-1C Avenger

The TBM‑1C Avenger was the General Motors‑built variant of the Douglas‑designed TBF Avenger torpedo bomber that served the United States Navy during World War II. Production began in 1942 at GM’s Eastern Aircraft Division in Long Island, New York, after the Navy contracted the automaker to augment Grumman’s output. Over 5,000 TBM aircraft were delivered, making the model the most widely produced version of the Avenger family. The TBM‑1C retained the Avenger’s robust airframe—a low‑wing monoplane with a spacious 30‑foot wingspan—and was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑22 Double Wasp radial engine delivering 2,000 horsepower, giving a top speed of 276 mph and a range of 1,000 miles. Its distinctive features included a large plexiglass nose for a navigator/radio operator, a dorsal turret armed with a .50‑caliber machine gun, and the ability to carry a single Mark 13 torpedo, up to 2,000 lb of bombs, or rockets for ground attack. The Avenger’s forgiving handling and heavy payload made it a versatile platform, later adapted for anti‑submarine warfare and as a night fighter. Its service highlighted the strategic importance of fast, carrier‑borne strike aircraft and cemented General Motors’ role in wartime aircraft production.

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