Grumman TBM-3E Avenger

This is an original Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, an American torpedo bomber from World War II. The TBF Avenger, contracted by the U.S. Navy in 1940 and first shown publicly on December 7, 1941, became the Navy’s primary carrier-based torpedo bomber of World War II. Crewed by three and armed with torpedoes, bombs, or depth charges, it played a major role in key Pacific battles such as the Philippine Sea, Leyte, Guadalcanal, and Iwo Jima, while also serving in the Atlantic against German submarines. Produced by Grumman and later General Motors, a total of 9,839 Avengers were built, making it one of the most important and widely used naval aircraft of the war.