General Motors TBM Avenger

The General Motors TBM Avenger, produced by GM’s Eastern Aircraft Division from 1942 to 1945, was the primary torpedo bomber of the United States Navy during World War II. Developed from the Grumman TBF, the design was transferred to GM to meet soaring demand, resulting in the TBM designation. Over 7,800 units were built, making it the most numerous carrier‑borne bomber of the conflict.

Key features included a rugged, all‑metal monocoque fuselage, a large 54‑foot wingspan, and a powerful Wright R‑2600‑20 radial engine delivering 1,700 hp, which allowed a top speed of 275 mph and a range of 1,000 mi. Its spacious bomb‑bay accommodated a single Mark 13 torpedo, up to 2,000 lb of bombs, or a mixture of rockets and depth charges. The rear turret, initially equipped with a .50‑caliber machine gun and later upgraded to twin guns, provided defensive fire, while the forward cockpit offered excellent visibility for precision attacks.

The Avenger gained fame through notable missions such as the sinking of the Japanese carrier *Shōkaku* at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the famed “Tokyo Rose” flight that rescued Lieutenant George McWattie. Post‑war, its versatile airframe served as a training aircraft, a night‑fighter, and a platform for early anti‑submarine warfare experiments, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of naval aviation and a testament to General Motors’ industrial contribution to the war effort.