Avenger
 

Anyone flown the Grumman TBM Avenger?

George Dubya's Dad...

There is one at North Weald, I think - at least was recently.

Not me, but the province of New Brunswick operates five or six Avengers on forest fire suppression. I'll see if I can ferret something out. There was an article in the November 2001 isue of Air&Space magazine about that operation. They may have back issues available at <a href="http://www.airspacemag.com/" target="_blank">http://www.airspacemag.com/</a>

The one at North Weald (currently in winter hibernation but set to re-emerge soon, or so I was told when idling in the North Weald bar the other day) is operated by a local warbird buff who also runs JPs. Thus far I have not managed to blag a ride in it but I'm ever hopeful. Looks like a beast but is rumoured to fly very sweetly.

[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: FNG ]</p>

While in service I had the displeasure of flying in the back end of a TBM from NAS Corpus Christi, Texas to NAS Columbus, Ohio. I use the term displeasure because I had no ear protection and my body was exposed to some severe and continuous vibration. I put 1400 hours as a flight engineer sitting between and slightly behind two R-1830-92s and the noise generated by those two engines was not as loud as the noise coming from the front end of the TBM.

The Avenger at 'Weald is owned by Tony Haig-Thomas, who is involved with the Shuttleworth Collection's gems at Old Warden.

It should be on the airshow circuit this year.

Hope this helps

Mark

I own and fly a TBM Avenger here in Oz. She's 57 years old and goes like a homesick angel...actually flies like a cement truck going down a freeway @ 100mph. Cruises around 190kts using 2000/29.5

Designed to haul a bomb load and full fuel off a carrier deck, so the empty take off performance is highly impressive to watch.

It is a real privelage to be a custodian of one of the great aircraft of WW2. To fly these aircraft is a "boy's best dream come true"...keep pinching myself everytime I hit the starter.

Is it the ex- Tim Wallis/OFMC Avenger?

If it is the ex AFC/OFMC Avenger, have you kept the RNZAF "Plonky" markings on it? Mustve been nice to be on a hot humid pacific strip to have an Avenger pop in with ice-cold beer underslung in the bomb bay! Beautiful machine, great airshow participant.. .. .Kermie

My TBM is indeed the ex-AFC machine. The RNZAF markings have now been replaced by US Navy WW2 markings. "Georgia Peach"...was a TBM flown by VT-83 [AG-83] from USS Essex circa May/June1945. Oz regn now VH-TBM....

TBM. .. .Have you painted a Bu number on it?. .. .(any chance of a piccy on here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> )

The acft Bu No. is 91110 and was originally delivered to the US Navy on 9 Jul 1945 and is none to have served with various reserve units at NAS Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Flew as a fire bomber in California and now as a warbird. Spent time in the UK with OFMC painted in RN colours/George Bush's colours/RNZAF while in NZ.. .. .The TBM is just a great plane...

I remember seeing that Avenger at Yeovilton years ago looking very nice in Navy markings.. .. .Mark

TBM-Legend, will you be taking your Avenger across. .to Wanaka this year? Are you by any chance the person who also bought the ex OFMC Harvard (Zero look alike)? If so I think I have met you at Duxford in 1999.. .. .Any other PPRUNErs going to Wanaka this year?. .. .Rgds. .. .Piece of Cake

Don't know about the Avenger, but I believe the Sea Fury is going to Wanaka, as indeed am I!

TBM, I'll let you have a go in my Auster if you let me have a go in your Avenger <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Could take me a while to get to the Antipodes though <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Mr. Kirk the flying vet did it in a Cub so it should be possible.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Just while we are on the Avenger theme, I have just noticed that there is one for sale on . .<a href="http://www.courtesyaircraft.com" target="_blank">www.courtesyaircraft.com</a> for $219,000USD, seems like a bit of a good deal when you compare it to some of the other stuff advertised on there. A lot of aeroplane for your money.. .. .Loads of other "interesting" warbirds for sale there too. If only I had the money........(sigh!)