Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1221 Grumman TBF Avenger USN VT-51, Barbara III, George Bush, USS San Jacinto, 1944, 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Comes In A Special Color Box & Includes Display Stand With A Metal Printed Base Plate. Size: 9" Wingspan, 6.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments Are Included.

ONLY 1 AVAILABLE!!

The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world. Primary Role: Torpedo Bomber.

Just prior to the start of WW II the USN started to look for a replacement for their aging Douglas Devastator. Grumman made a presentation of a prototype labeled as XTBF-1 that impressed the USN and they placed an order to purchase. The plane was perfect for the Navy needs, a huge rotary engine that was enclosed in a barrel like fuselage to cut down on drag, and with some increase in the fuselage and wing lengths would accommodate a three-man crew. Production on what was now officially known as the TBF/TBM Avenger and would come to receive the affectionate name of ôThe Turkeyö from the pilots that flew them began in 1941 with first delivery just in time for the Battle of Midway in June 1942. What started out as a carrier borne torpedo bomber soon turned into a close-support bomber, a patrol aircraft and even a trainer.

On September 2, 1944 George Herbert Walker Bush was piloting his three-man Avenger ôBarbara IIIö on a raid to the island of Chichi Jima. As he began his dive on the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and began to burn but Bush continued his dive. He then turned toward the sea and told the crew to bail out because the aircraft might explode. Unfortunately only two men got out, George BushÆs chute opened but the second didnÆt. Bush was rescued by a USN submarine.