TBM-3E Avenger VT-17, USS Hornet, April, 1945 (1:72)

The TBM is the Grumman TBF built under license by Eastern Aircraft, a subsidiary of General Motors. The TBM-3E was the last Avenger model put into production during the war. The company managed to reduce the empty weight of the 3E by 1,980 lbs. but still was able to increase airframe strength. This variant saw the elimination of the rear-firing .30 caliber machine gun and faired over the opening. Another distinguishing feature is the non-retractable arresting hook. This variant was used for ASW and Avengers also flew in the Atlantic from small escort carriers and played a large role in helping to defend allied convoys. U.S. Avengers are credited with sinking 30 German U-boats between 1943 and 1944.

VT-17 the 'Fist of the Fleet' was formed on January 1, 1943 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. VT-17 joined the USS Hornet in February 1945. On April 7, 1945 TBM's from VT-17 were the first to strike the giant battleship Yamato. VT-17 TBM's struck the Yamato with four torpedoes and sank one of the escorting destroyers, the engagement resulted in the loss of 2 TBM's. The first wave of attacks began at 12:37 and the massive explosion that shattered Yamato occurred at 14:23. Of the Yamato's 2,332 crew members 2,055 were lost.
Specifications for the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger

Crew ' (3)

Performance
Powerplant - Wright R2600-20 Double Cyclone 14 Cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, rated @ 1900 Hp

Weight
Empty - 10,545 lb (4,783 kg)
Fully Loaded - 17,890 lb (8.115 kg)

Range - 1,010 miles (1,610 km)
Fuel Capacity - 726 US gal (2,748 litres)

Speed
Maximum - 276 mph (444 km/h)
Cruising - 115 mph (185 km/h)
Service Ceiling - 30,100 ft (9,170 m)

Dimensions
Wingspan - 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m)
Length - 40 ft 11.5 in (12.48 m)
Height - 16 ft 5 in (5 m)

Weapons
(2) .50 caliber (12.7 mm) forward-firing wing-mounted machine guns
(1) .50 caliber (12.7 mm) turret-mounted machine gun
(1) .30 caliber (7.62 mm) ventral-mounted machine gun
Armament
Up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of ordnance made up of possible combinations of:
(1) 2,000 lb (907 kg) Bliss-Leavitt MK.13 Torpedo
or
High Explosive, Fragmentary and/or Anti-personnel bombs in these combinations:
(2) 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) bombs
(4) 500 lb (226.8 kg) bombs
(6) 250 lb (113.4 kg) bombs
(12) 100 lb (45.4 kg) bombs
or
(4) Depth Charges
(8) 5 inch rail-launched unguided rockets