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Variants
Grumman TBF Avenger
XTBF-1
Prototypes each powered by a 1,700 hp (1,300 kW) R-2600-8 engine, second aircraft introduced the large dorsal fin. (2 built)
TBF-1
Initial production model based on the second prototype. (1,526 built)
TBF-1 Avenger landing on the escort carrier USS Card (ACV-11) on December 9, 1942.
[Source: Robbie Stuart Collection]
TBF-1 with provision for two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) wing guns and fuel capacity increased to 726 gal (2,748 l). (765 built)
TBF-1B
Paper designation for the Avenger I for the Royal Navy.
TBF-1D
TBF-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on starboard wing leading edge.
TBF-1CD
TBF-1C conversions with centimetric radar in radome on starboard wing leading edge.
TBF-1E
TBF-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
TBF-1J
TBF-1 equipped for bad weather operations
TBF-1L
TBF-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBF-1P
TBF-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBF-1CP
TBF-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
XTBF-2
TBF-1 re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.
Grumman XTBF-2 Avenger, July 31, 1943.
[Source: Grumman Archives]
TBF-1 re-engined with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.
TBF-3
Planned production version of the XTBF-3, cancelled
General Motors TBM Avenger
TBM-1
as TBF-1. (550 built)
TBM-1C
as TBF-1C. (2336 built)
TBM-1D
TBM-1 conversions with centimetric radar in radome on starboard wing leading edge.
A TBM-1D Avenger of Night Torpedo Squadron (VT(N)) 41 launches from the carrier
U.S.S. Independence (CVL 22) on October 4, 1944. [Source: U.S. Navy]
TBM-1 conversions with additional electronic equipment.
TBM-1J
TBM-1 equipped for all weather operations
TBM-1L
TBM-1 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBM-1P
TBM-1 conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBM-1CP
TBM-1C conversion for photo-reconnaissance
TBM-2
One TBM-1 re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) XR-2600-10 engine.
XTBM-3
Four TBM-1C aircraft with 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) R-2600-20 engines.
TBM-3
as TBM-1C, double cooling intakes, engine upgrade, minor changes. (4,011 built)
TBM-3 Avengers of Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron (VMTB) 233 pictured on board
U.S.S. Block Island (CVE 106) during operations off San Diego, CA, on February 7, 1945.
[Source: U.S. Navy]
TBM-3 conversion with centimetric radar in radome on starboard wing leading edge.
TBM-3E
as TBM-3, stronger airframe, search radar, ventral gun deleted. (646 built).
A TBM-3E Avenger snags an arresting wire on board the escort carrier
U.S.S. Saginaw Bay (CVE 82) on September 9, 1945.
[Source: U.S. Navy]
TBM-3 conversion with surface search radar.
TBM-3J
TBM-3 equipped for all weather operations
TBM-3L
TBM-3 equipped with retractable searchlight in bomb bay.
TBM-3M
TBM-3 conversion as a missile launcher.
TBM-3N
TBM-3 conversion for night attack.
TBM-3P
TBM-3 conversion for photo-reconnaissance.
TBM-3Q
TBM-3 conversion for electronic countermeasures with large ventral radome.
TBM-3R
TBM-3 conversions as seven-passenger, Carrier onboard delivery transport.
Three TBM-3R Avengers of Transport Squadron (VR) 21 over Korea in July 1951.
[Source: U.S. Navy Photo]
TBM-3 conversion as an anti-submarine strike version.
TBM-3U
TBM-3 conversion as a general utility and target version.
TBM-3W
TBM-3 conversion as an anti-Submarine search with APS-20 radar in ventral radome.
XTBM-4
Prototypes based on TBM-3E with modified wing incorporating a reinforced center section and a different folding mechanism. (3 built)
TBM-4
Production version of XTBM-4, 2,141 on order were cancelled.
Royal Navy Avenger
Avenger Mk.I
RN designation of the TBF-1, 400 delivered.
Avenger Mk.II
RN designation of the TBM-1/TBM-1C, 334 delivered.
Avenger Mk.III
RN designation of the TBM-3, 222 delivered
Avenger Mk.IV
RN designation of the TBM-3S, 70 cancelled
Avenger AS4
RN designation of the TBM-3S, 100 delivered postwar
Avenger AS3
Modified by RCN for anti-submarine duty, dorsal gun turret removed, 98 built
Avenger AS3M
AS3 with magnetic anomaly detector boom added to rear fuselage
Sources:
Wikipedia
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