XTBM-4 Avenger

The XTBM‑4 Avenger is a carrier‑based torpedo bomber developed in the early 1940s as an advanced variant of the original TBM series. Although the original Avenger was produced by Grumman, the XTBM‑4 was built under license by General Motors at its Cleveland Assembly Plant, marking GM’s largest foray into combat aircraft manufacturing. First flown in June 1944, the XTBM‑4 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-1830‑92 engine delivering 1,600 horsepower, a redesigned wing with laminar‑flow airfoil, and an enlarged internal fuel capacity that extended range to 2,400 nautical miles. Its cockpit featured an all‑air‑solid instrument panel and the latest AN/APS‑4 radar set, allowing effective night and all‑weather operations. The aircraft could carry a 2,000‑pound torpedo, up to 2,000 pounds of bombs, or a combination of rockets and depth charges, making it a versatile strike platform. Though only 210 units were produced before the war ended, the XTBM‑4 demonstrated the feasibility of large‑scale automotive involvement in naval aviation, influenced post‑war carrier design, and paved the way for later GM‑sponsored projects such as the F2R Skyrocket. Its legacy endures as a testament to industrial adaptability during World II.