The US Navy issued a specification for a new torpedo bomber in early 1940. A contract was signed with Grumman for development of such an aircraft. Chief engineer Bill Schwendler wasted no time and the XTBF-1 flew on 1 August 1941. Production aircraft appeared in January 1942 and in March contracts were signed with the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors to build the TBF Avenger as the TBM Avenger. In early 1944 Grumman, after supplying 2,290 Avengers, ceased production of the Avenger and General Motors became the sole source of supply. Eventually 9,836 Avengers were produced.
On 4 June 1942 six new TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers of VT-8, roared into the air from the flight deck of USS Hornet. They headed for the island of Midway from where they went into action. The example shown above was the sole survivor from the courageous attack on the Japanese fleet at the first Battle of Midway.
Subsequently the TBF and similar TBM wrought havoc among Japanese shipping and surface targets.
