TBF/TBM 1 AVENGER 1:48 ( Includes NZ decals )

Price: NZ$64.67

Code: ITA 2644

This tubby three-man bomber/torpedo bomber made its debut in the Battle of Midway, with disastrous results: only one of the six aircraft that had taken off made it back to base! Despite getting off to a bad start the Avenger soon won the affection of its crews and the respect of its adversaries, quickly becoming the standard carrier bomber of the U.S. Navy. Over 9000 Avengers were built and many were supplied to allied nations: they were used extensively on all fronts and they inflicted heavy losses on enemy shipping, whether surface or submarine. The Avenger continued its career after the Second World War: over 500, often specialised versions, saw service with the U.S. Navy and in many other nations including Japan – the country against which the TBF had begun its career!

Highly detailed 1/48 scale assembly model kit of the Grumman TBF Avenger, a single-engine torpedo-bomber employed by the United States Navy and Marine Corps in World War II. This beautifully detailed 1/48 scale model kit features the TBF-1C/TBM-1C (“M” is the Navy designation for aircrafts produced by General Motors) Avenger flown by future President and then Lieutenant Junior Grade George H.W. Bush, perhaps the most famous Avenger pilot in history. Features: Excellent exterior detail. Detailed cockpit. Detailed landing gear assembly. Accessories include bombs and torpedo. Decals for six versions.

RNZAF Avengers
The TBF Avenger was one of the many aircraft used during and post WWII by many Forces. as with a great number of them the use by countries other than the USA is normally overlooked. The Royal New Zealand Air Force used the TBF-1 and -1C Avenger and received 48 of them during 1943/44. During their service with the RNZAF they served with 30 and 31 Squadron in the Pacific during which they carried out a number of raids up until the end of the war.

After the return of some aircraft to the US Navy and the British fleet the RNZAF had ended the war with 12 Avengers.This number was further reduced in 1948 when six were sold for scrap. The remaining six aircraft continued target towing duties with the Central Fighter Establishment and 42 Squadron. NZ2503 was ditched in the Waitemata Harbour off Whenuapai on 17th March 1956 after an engine failure while drogue towing with 42 Squadron.By 1957 only two TBFs (NZ2527 and 2504) remained active and served with 42 Squadron at Ohakea until May, 1959.

Model Length 278mm