The Toughest Battleship Hunter that Came Out of Nowhere

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Its ungainly size and appearance may have gained it the nickname of the “turkey,” but in reality, the Grumman TBF Avenger was anything but. Forged in the fires of World War 2, this iconic torpedo bomber would become one of the most versatile and enduring warplanes of its era.

The Avenger quickly proved itself a versatile warrior in World War 2’s most demanding naval combat situations. From the fiery chaos of the Battle of Midway to the intense hunt for German U-boats in the Atlantic, to even taking on lightning-fast V-1 flying bombs bound for Britain, this robust aircraft became a cornerstone of Allied aviation.

But the Avenger’s story didn’t end there. Its remarkable adaptability saw it evolve into roles its creators never envisioned – from aerial firefighter to carrier onboard delivery aircraft and even as a platform for some of the first airborne early warning systems. This flexibility ensured the Avenger’s continued service long after many of its contemporaries had been retired.
The Avenger’s impact reached far beyond its military service, influencing aircraft design and setting new standards for versatility in aviation. This remarkable warbird didn’t just fly through history – it helped shape it, cementing its place as one of the most significant aircraft of the 20th century.

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26 thoughts on “The Toughest Battleship Hunter that Came Out of Nowhere”

  7. The Avenger could operate from any carrier the USN or RN had including the small CVEs and saw a lot of service in the Atlantic hunting U-Boats from CVEs, carrying Depth Charges in that big bomb bay. IIRC it also functioned as a radar equipped Night Fighter along with the F4U Corsair, operating from USS Enterprise (CV 6.)

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  8. The Military Air Museum here in Virginia Beach, VA has a TBM-3 in its collection along with an FM2 Wildcat and an F4U Corsair with these and many other WWI and WWII Allied and Axis models flying regularly.

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  12. Note to the Dark Skies channel – You better check your facts. USS Hornet's torpedo squadron VT-8 in the Battle of Midway did not fly TBFs. They were still flying the TBD Devastators led by LCDR John C. Waldron. The only TBFs at Midway flew off Midway Island. Admiral Nimitz send six of the new TBFs to Midway Island because TBFs were new to the fleet and the crews of these planes had not been trained in carrier operations. Also, they arrived too late to get them on to the USS Hornet before the battle. I believe there is confusion because these six TBFs were designated as part of VT-8. My father was part of VS-8 flying a SBD from the USS Hornet at the Battle of Midway. About 30 minutes after all the Hornets planes were airborne, my father and his rear gunner saw Waldron break formation and lead his squadron directly to the Japanese carriers. And as my father used to say about VT-8 – "And the rest is history".

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