Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1223 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger 8-T-1, VT-8, NAS Norfolk, May 1942. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 9" Wingspan, 6.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

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.

Designed as a replacement for the aging TBD-1 Devastator the new TBF-1 was hastily sent to Midway when the USN became aware of the imminent attack on the island. The six TBF-1s were sent to attack the Japanese fleet that resulted in 5 aircraft being shot down and the 6th crash-landed on Midway. Lesson learned more firepower was added by placing a .50 caliber machine gun in each wing and larger fuel tanks. This modification brought about the TBF-1C with later modifications adding four rockets rails under each wing.

In early 1942 Avengers began to arrive at NAS Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to VT-8. This made the squadron the first front-line unit to be equipped with the TBF-1 Avenger. The first to arrive was 8-T-1 BuNo 00380 wearing the inter-war red tail stripes and circle within the star insignia. Six VT-8 Avengers were sent to Pearl Harbor and on to Midway arriving just before the Battle of Midway. During this battle the 6 TBF-1s from VT-8 flew against the Japanese forces and 8-T-1 was the only Avenger to survive the encounter.