Grumman Avenger TBE-3M

From 1943 the RNZAF operated a total of 48 Avengers, and while this aircraft, 'Plonky', is not one of the four surviving RNZAF airframes, it is painted in the colours of NZ2518 which was the aircraft flown by well-known Kiwi aviator Fred Ladd, during his wartime service in the Pacific Theatre.

'Plonky' taxis in after a display at its base at RNZAF Ohakea  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

 Year: 1941  Built: 9,839  Registration: ZK-TBE  Serial: 91110  Wingspan: 16.51m  Length: 12.48m  Height: 4.7m  Engine: 1,950hp Wright Cyclone R2600 14 cylinder radial  Max Speed: 442 km/h  Cruise: 233 km/h  Ceiling: 6,825 m  Range: 1,778 km  Armament: 2 x 0.50 m/g in wings; 1 x turret 0.50 m/g; 1 x 0.30 tail m/g with 1 x 22.4” torpedo or 900kg bombs/depth charges, 8 x 5” rockets.   

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    • During the Pacific operations the RNZAF Avengers of both No. 30 and 31 Squadrons operated as bombers flying against many Japanese targets.

    The Avenger was initially designed as an aircraft carrier-based torpedo bomber for the United States Navy and it first flew in 1941, becoming the heaviest single-engined aircraft to be developed and used during WW2.

    After the war a few Avengers were based at RNZAF Ohakea as target tugs and they operated there until 1959. In 1948 a modified Avenger was used for aerial topdressing trials at both Ohakea and Hood Aerodrome at Masterton.

    A slow and almost graceful airshow display

    This aircraft was built in 1945 and has had a continuous flying history since then. It served in a training capacity at a number of US bases (incl San Diego and Pearl Harbour) until it was retired from service in 1954. Converted into an insecticide sprayer and used in forest protection operations in North America until 1992 it was then converted back to full military configuration for Ray Hanna’s Old Flying Machine Company in the UK.

    On finals after a display at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

    In 1994 the Alpine Fighter Collection (Wanaka) purchased it, but late in 1998 it was on-sold to an Australian collector. It returned to New Zealand in 2012 to become part of the Biggin Hill Trust collection, located at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

    More Videos:

    • Plonky In US Navy Colour Scheme

    • A Display At Warbirds Over Wanaka

    • More Avengers In the United States

    • Avenger Unfolding Its Wings In The US


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