XTBM-3 Avenger

The XTBM‑3 Avenger was a naval torpedo bomber introduced in 1945 as the final production model of the TB‑3 series, built under license by General Motors’ Eastern Aircraft Division after Grumman transferred production to the automaker in 1943. Designed to replace earlier TBM‑1 and TBM‑2 versions, the XTBM‑3 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑32W radial engine delivering 2,000 hp, a strengthened airframe, and an enlarged fuel capacity that extended its combat radius to over 1,000 nautical miles. The aircraft retained the distinctive mid‑wing, single‑seat configuration and could be equipped with a Mark 13 torpedo, depth charges, rockets, or a 1,000‑pound bomb, making it a versatile platform for anti‑ship, anti‑submarine, and ground‑attack missions. Production run was brief—only 199 airframes were completed before the war ended, but the XTBM‑3 saw service with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the final Pacific campaigns, notably in the Philippines and Okinawa. Its robust construction, reliable powerplant, and adaptability cemented the Avenger’s reputation as one of the most effective carrier‑based bombers of World War II, influencing post‑war naval aviation design. The aircraft’s legacy endures in modern maritime strike concepts and in the continued reverence of veteran pilots and historians.