Hobby Boss – 87274 – TBM-3 Avenger

Description:

The TBM-3 Avenger was a late-war variant of the Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger, a rugged and highly effective torpedo bomber used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during World War II. Originally designed by Grumman, the Avenger was mass-produced under license by General Motors’ Eastern Aircraft Division, which designated its models as TBM (rather than TBF). The TBM-3, introduced in 1944, was the final major production version and incorporated significant improvements over earlier models.

The Avenger was known for its large, robust airframe, long range, and excellent payload capacity. The TBM-3 featured a more powerful 1,900 hp Wright R-2600-20 Cyclone engine, improved electrical systems, and additional hardpoints for carrying rockets or bombs under the wings, in addition to its internal torpedo bay. It also included enhanced armor protection and updated avionics, which made it more versatile in combat roles beyond torpedo attacks, including level bombing, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance.

The aircraft typically carried a three-man crew: pilot, turret gunner, and radioman/bombardier/gunner. Defensive armament included a .50 cal machine gun in a dorsal turret and a .30 cal machine gun in the ventral position. The TBM-3 could deliver a Mark 13 torpedo or various bomb loads, and later versions like the TBM-3E and TBM-3W were adapted for specialized tasks such as radar-equipped patrol and airborne early warning.

The TBM-3 Avenger saw widespread use in the Pacific Theater, taking part in key battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and strikes against the Japanese home islands. It was flown by both U.S. and Allied forces, including the Royal Navy (as the Tarpon/Avenger) and the Royal Canadian Navy.

After the war, surplus TBM-3s remained in service for years in various roles, including training, firefighting, and with foreign air arms.

This a new tool of year 2025. Kit consists of over 150 parts and include PE parts. Decal sheet allow to chose between two different markings. Include also payload weapons, a torpedo and two kind of bombs. Wings can be build folded. Kit doesn’t provide canopy paint mask but provides a template.