AVENGER
CFS3 - V4.00.168
Grade "B"
This aircraft was built by GregoryP using version 4.00.168 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process. It is based on the outstanding TBF visual created Corrado La Posta.
Brian TEMPEST Hill painted this TBF as Black 16 of VC42 flying from the USS Bogue (CVE 9) during July 1944.
The Atlantic color scheme was arguably the most attractive applied to any naval aircraft of World War 2. Insignia white overall, with sea grey applied to most of the upper surfaces, was optimised for the hazy conditions often found in northern waters.
VC-42 flew from five CVEs, with Atlantic combat cruises in Croatan and Bogue in 1944, and Pacific operations aboard Corregidor in 1945. This aircraft (number 16) was destroyed with three others when a Bogue TBF suffered hook failure and crashed through the barriers.
In honour of the event, the hapless pilot received a makeshift Iron Cross from his shipmates.
Rene 'Greycap' of Steve's "O-1 Driver" effects team installed the lights & exhaust flames
While the Douglas Devastator had been "state of the art" when it was introduced in 1935, by 1939, the US Navy determined that it needed a more potent torpedo bomber, one with greater range, larger payload, faster speed, and tougher resistance to battle damage.
The requirements for the new aircraft included: a top speed of 300 MPH, a (fully loaded) range of 1,000 miles, an internal weapons bay, 2000 lbs. payload, and a ceiling of 30,000 feet.
The Grumman "Iron Works" almost inevitably would be the supplier. Leroy Grumman, an engineer by background, helped design the torpedo bomber that would meet the navy's specs. The prototype was designated XTBF-1: eXperimental, Torpedo Bomber, F = Grumman, 1st variant.
Two aircraft were built, one of which crashed in the woods near Brentwood, Long Island. But the program continued at the rapid pace which was a hallmark of Grumman's production.
On the afternoon of December 7, 1941, Grumman held a ceremony to open its new Plant 2 in Bethpage and display the new torpedo bomber to the public.
During the program, Grumman vice president Clint Towl was called to the phone. "The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor. We're at war."
No announcement was made and the festivities continued. When the crowd filed out of the plant, they locked the gates, swept the plant for saboteurs, and went to a war footing, which they stayed on for almost four years.
BEAR
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