The Grumman Avenger was designed to carry the 22 in Torpedo in an internal bomb bay resulting in it being the heaviest single engine aircraft of WWII.
The Avenger was also designed with the Gumman Sto-Wing aftwards-folding wing system to reduce the required storage space necessary when on a carrier.
The aircraft was manned by three crew members, the Pilot, Turret Gunner and the Radioman/bombardier/ ventral gunner.
The pilot’s position was not accessible by the other crew and there was only one set of controls, so in the event that the pilot was incapacitated control of the aircraft was lost.
The radio equipment used by the Avenger was very large and took up the whole length of the rear cockpit. Any Avengers flying today usually fit an extra rear-mounted seat in this space allowing a fourth passenger.
PRODUCTION
The Avenger was produced between 1942 and 1945, with over 9,800 being built.
ARMAMENT
3 x Browning 0.5” machine guns
1 x Browning 0.3” machine gun
2,000 lb (907 kg) Bomb/Torpedo/Rockets/Depth Charge load
The Avenger became operational in the U.S. in 1942 first seeing action during the Battle of Midway with VT-8 (Torpedo Squadron 8).
The Avenger was also operated by the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy.
As well as the traditional role of torpedoing ships, the Avengers claimed about 30 submarine kills, being one of the most effective sub-killers in the Pacific theatre, as well as in the Atlantic.
Future U.S. President George H.W. bush was shot down in his Avenger on 2 September 1944. He managed to attack and hit the radio tower target before bailing out over the water for which he later received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
On 5 December 1945 a flight of five American Avengers, known as Flight 19, disappeared whilst on patrol and was later added to the Bermuda Triangle legend.
