About the Avenger:

The plan began with a scanned three view drawing, traced into AutoCAD and developed into 5 sheets 34” x 84” with templates for all ribs and formers.

Construction is all balsa and plywood.  The model has a 108” wing span and 80” long fuselage. The wing is three piece construction for ease of transport. The plane is completely sheeted. 

It has 12 servos including retracts, three piece flaps, bomb bay, and bomb release.  It also has a crew door, landing light and NAV light system.

Power is from a 3W75iUS turning a three blade prop. The prototype weighs 38 pounds ready to fly.

The Avenger was the most widely produced naval strike aircraft of all time with nearly 10,000 aircraft produced in Trenton NJ at the General Motors factory. It entered service with Torpedo Squadron 8 in April 1942 and saw its first action at the battle of Midway.

 The TBM-3 prototypes were delivered in October 1943 and went on to become the main production variant with 4,000 being produced. The TBM-3 had an additional 200 HP and a revised cowling. The TBM-3E was the result of a program to strengthen and lighten the airframe. It weighed nearly a ton less than the TBM-3. It also incorporated a non retractable tail hook and the stinger gun position was eliminated.  The prototype model is modeled after an aircraft that was stationed at NAS/Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove in the 1950's.