TBM Avenger: From Naval Reserve Trainer to Restoration

The General Motors TBM Avenger stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation, playing a crucial role during World War II and beyond. Among these legendary aircraft is BuNo 91436, whose unique journey from a Naval Reserve trainer to a restored flying warbird exemplifies the enduring legacy of this remarkable torpedo bomber. Read on to learn more about 91436 and how you can add General Motors TBM Avenger PlaneTags to your collection.

The Origins of the TBM Avenger

The TBM Avenger was conceived out of a pressing need for a rugged, reliable torpedo bomber that could operate from aircraft carriers in the Pacific theater. Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was initially tasked with designing and producing the aircraft, leading to the development of the TBF Avenger. Its first flight took place in August 1941, and it entered service in early 1942, just in time for critical naval battles.

 

  

 

The TBM Avenger was an engineering marvel for its time. Powered by a Wright R-2600-20 radial engine producing 1,900 horsepower, it boasted a maximum speed of approximately 275 mph and a combat range exceeding 1,000 miles. The aircraft was armed with a powerful combination of machine guns, including a .50-caliber turret gun, and could carry a substantial payload of torpedoes, bombs, or depth charges.

 

 

 By U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy National Naval Aviation Museum photo NNAM.1996.488.021.003, Public Domain, Link

 

One of its most notable innovations was its folding wings, allowing for efficient storage aboard aircraft carriers. The TBM Avenger also featured a spacious bomb bay, cutting-edge radar systems for its era, and a robust airframe capable of enduring intense combat conditions. Its versatility and reliability earned it a place as one of the U.S. Navy's most valuable assets throughout the war.

TBM Avenger At A Glance

TBM-3E Specifications: 

• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Model: TBM-3E
• BuNo: 91436
• Crew: 3 (1x Pilot, 1x Radioman, 1x Turret Gunner)
• Wing Span: 54 ft 2 in 
• Length: 40 ft 11 in
• Height: 16 ft 5 in
• Armament: 2x 50 Cal. Wing Mounted Machine Guns, 1x 50 Cal. Turret Gun, 1,000 lb Mk. 13 Torpedo or up to 2,200 lb of bombs, or 8x 3.5 in wing-mounted rockets

TBM-3E Performance:

• Range: 1,000 mi
• Cruise Speed: 145 mph
• Ceiling: 30,100 ft
• Empty Weight: 10,545 lb
• Max Takeoff Weight: 17,893 lb
• Rate Of Climb: 2,060 ft/min
• Engine: 1x Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone Radial

Why were some Avengers built by different manufacturers?

Due to the high demand for the aircraft during World War II, Grumman could not keep up with production alone. To boost output, the U.S. government enlisted General Motors' Eastern Aircraft Division to manufacture Avengers under the designation TBM. This collaboration ensured a steady supply of these vital aircraft, enabling the U.S. Navy to maintain air superiority in the Pacific Theater.

Grumman built the early TBF Avengers, while General Motors produced the majority as TBMs. Despite being built by different manufacturers, all Avengers maintained consistent design and performance standards, proving instrumental in various combat roles, from torpedo runs to anti-submarine patrols and close air support missions. By the end of the war, General Motors had built over 7,500 TBM Avengers, far surpassing Grumman's production output.

TBM Avenger’s Combat Debut During WWII

 

Ernest TBF VT8 Midway flickr photo by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives shared with no copyright restriction (Flickr Commons)

 

The TBM Avenger made its combat debut during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Though its initial performance was marred by heavy losses due to inexperience and overwhelming enemy fire, the Avenger quickly proved its worth. It soon became the U.S. Navy’s standard torpedo bomber, replacing the outdated Douglas TBD Devastator.

Significant Battles and Missions

The TBM Avenger played a pivotal role in several major WWII campaigns. It was instrumental in the Pacific Theater, participating in key battles such as the Solomon Islands campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf. Avengers launched devastating torpedo strikes against enemy ships, including Japanese battleships like the Musashi and Yamato, contributing to their ultimate destruction.

 

 By Lt. Charles W. Kerlee, U.S. Navy - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15278, Public Domain, Link

 Additionally, Avengers excelled in anti-submarine warfare, patrolling the Atlantic to protect Allied shipping lanes. Their adaptability allowed them to perform bombing missions, reconnaissance flights, and even search-and-rescue operations.

Notable Pilots and Heroic Stories

One of the most famous Avenger pilots was George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest naval aviator of his time. During a mission over Chichi Jima in September 1944, his Avenger was hit by enemy fire. Despite the plane being engulfed in flames, Bush completed his bombing run before bailing out into the Pacific, where he was rescued by a U.S. submarine.

 

 

Another remarkable story is the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19—five TBM Avengers that vanished over the Bermuda Triangle in December 1945 during a training mission. The case remains one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries, adding to the Avenger's legendary status. Through their combat performance, technical resilience, and the heroism of their crews, the TBM Avengers earned a distinguished place in military aviation history.

BuNo 91436

Constructed as a TBM-3E by General Motors on August 3, 1945, BuNo 91436 was promptly accepted by the US Navy. It began its service at NAS Atlanta before moving through key naval air stations including NAS San Diego and NAS Seattle, where it played a crucial role as a training aircraft until 1952. After a decade of service, it was officially struck off the Navy inventory on May 31, 1956, and placed in storage at NAS Litchfield Park.

 

In January 1957, BuNo 91436 was sold to Selk Co. in North Hollywood, California, and registered as N9569Z. Subsequent owners included Aerial Services of Chino, California, Zack Monroe of Lancaster, California, and Cisco Aircraft Inc., also of Lancaster. Cisco fitted the aircraft with tanks for aerial spraying and firefighting. In 1963, N9569Z was acquired by Desert Aviation Services of Phoenix, Arizona, who operated it for a couple of seasons.

Sometime during the 1960s, the outer wing panels were removed, and the aircraft was towed to downtown Phoenix, where it was operated by Desert Aviation Service for the Buehner Window Company as a wind machine for product testing. Desert Aviation Service eventually became Aircraft Specialties, Inc., who continued operating the wind machine until the mid-1970s, when the plane was towed to Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, for storage and use as a spare parts source. In 1980, Aircraft Specialties became Globe Air, Inc.

The aircraft was sold at the auction of Globe Air assets held on October 23, 1985, at Falcon Field. Subsequently, N9569Z was trucked to Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft in Kissimmee, Florida, where restoration to flying condition began.

Notably, aviation restorer Charlie Cartledge played a crucial role in the aircraft's restoration. His efforts brought BuNo 91436 back to life, preserving its historical integrity. After the restoration process, Dave Hall, founder of MotoArt, acquired sections of the original airframe's aluminum skin. These materials were later transformed into unique PlaneTags, allowing aviation enthusiasts to own a piece of this legendary warbird.

 

 

Following its extensive restoration, BuNo 91436 took its first post-restoration flight on August 14, 2013, marking a triumphant return to the skies. Today, it continues to fly from the Liberty Aviation Museum in Ohio, actively operated by the team at Lake Erie Warbirds, bridging the past and present through airshow appearances and historical exhibitions. Aircraft history taken from The Liberty Aviation Museum and Aircraft History Card for BuNo 91436. 

 

Preserving History: MotoArt Creates Avenger PlaneTags 

During its restoration by Charlie Cartledge, material from BuNo 91436’s original airframe was carefully preserved. MotoArt owner Dave Hall met Carthlidge during a recent trip to the Soplata property in Newbury, Ohio. “We spent time talking about his restoration of this magnificent plane and the time and effort it took,” Hall recalls. “When I inquired about having any remaining fuselage skins that we could document the TBM, Charlie was happy to provide us with the original skins that had to be replaced during the restoration. Incredibly, we had enough for these 700 PlaneTags, which are a testament not only to its Navy and civilian service, but also the hard work it took to restore the aircraft.”

General Motors TBM-3E Avenger PlaneTags

TBM Avenger PlaneTags are landing Thursday, December 19, 2024 promptly at 12pm Pacific Time. This is a very limited edition, with only 700 in the series. Secure your limited-edition PlaneTags crafted from BuNo 91436's historic airframe before they're gone — a rare piece of aviation history you can hold in your hands!