Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1210
Grumman TBF Avenger Diecast Model
RNFAA No.854 NAS, RNAY Donibristle, Scotland, 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Grumman TBF Avenger | | 6.75" | | 9" |
The British Fleet Air Arm acquired 1,000 TBM/TBF's from the US through the Lend-Lease Act. Initially referred to as Tarpon the British eventually began to use the US designator Avenger with 334 TBM-1C's becoming Avenger II. The 402 TBF's actually built by Grumman were labeled Avenger I's and were painted in FAA approved camouflage colors while the Avenger II's (TBM-1C) were built by Eastern Aircraft a subsidiary of General Motors were left in the US equivalent colors. With a squadron flying both versions of the Avenger the only visible difference between the two was the paint scheme colors. The British manned these aircraft in a similar manner to that of the US with a 3-man crew. At first the British Avengers were assigned to escort carriers that patrolled the North Atlantic looking for submarines. It wasn't long before most Avengers were reassigned to fleet carriers where they assisted in strikes against the Tirpitz and shipping in Norwegian waters. The British Avenger was used extensively in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific and played a major role in many of the attacks on oil fields and other Japanese facilities. They operated very closely with the USN and took part in a large number of combined actions but never seem to get the attention and credit they deserve. Closer to home the Avenger was tasked with patrolling the English Channel for any U-boats or S-boats that might that might attack the D-Day, June 6th 1944 invasion fleet on their way to Normandy. These aircraft also received the black and white D-Day, June 6th 1944 stripes so Allied forces wouldn't misidentify them as enemy aircraft. The British continued to use the Avengers into the early 1950's when they were replaced by the Fairey Firefly. Designed to replace the Douglas TBD Devastator, the TBF Avenger was first flown on August 1st, 1941. Capable of staging torpedoes, drop bombs and rockets, this single engine aircraft could also be outfitted with a combination of machine guns and cannons, which allowed it to act as a dogfighter. The robust Avenger design gave it the ability to withstand enemy air attacks and allowed it to serve throughout WWII, with dire consequences for the Japanese fleet. Postwar, the Avenger was still in service-retrofitted for other important functions including electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare and target towing. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. Hobby Master's 1:72 scale TBF Avenger has a large, solid-metal wing, with only a small amount of plastic used on the metal fuselage. The large birdcage canopy can be removed to reveal pad printed dials and gauges, control stick, pilot and seat and radioman/bombardier seat. The non-movable framed rear ball turret has a rear facing machine gun, and the ventral gunner station has a machine gun and transparent widow. The bomb bay doors can be opened, and the model can be fitted with either four 500 lb bombs or a torpedo. Each release has an accurate pitot tube and radar antennas, and some releases include rockets and radar dome. © Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc. The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. |
