Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Grumman TBF-1C Avenger – BuNo 46353, 'White 93', VT-15, USS Essex (CV-9), U.S. Navy, November 1944

1:72 Scale.  Length: 6.75".  Wingspan: 9”


Limited production of approximately 500 models worldwide

In mid-May 1944 the USS Essex (CV-9) joined other carriers to carry out strikes on the Marcus and Wake Islands. In June and August Essex supported the occupation of the Mariana Islands and in September carried out attacks on shipping around the Palau Islands and Mindanao. In October USS Essex and VT-15 took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and on November 5, 1944 TBF-1C Avenger, BuNo 46353, White 93’s gunner was killed while attacking a Japanese Navy Cruiser. On November 25th the USS Essex was badly damaged by a Kamikaze aircraft.

The TBF/ TBM Avenger was a torpedo bomber used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during World War II. It was developed by Grumman to replace the Douglas TBD Devastator. First flown on August 7, 1941, the Avenger entered service in 1942 and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. The Avenger was the first aircraft to feature a new wing-folding mechanism, created by Grumman to maximize storage space on an aircraft carrier.

The Avenger had a crew of three (pilot, turret gunner, radioman/bombardier/ventral gunner) and was armed with several machine guns for defense. Its large bomb bay could carry one Mark 13 torpedo, a single 2,000 pound (907 kg.) bomb, or up to four 500 pound (227 kg.) bombs. With a 30,000 ft. (10,000 m) ceiling and a range of 1,000 miles (1,610 km.) the Avenger was better than any previous American torpedo bomber.

By 1943 Grumman began to slowly phase out production of the Avenger in order to produce the F6F Hellcat fighter. The Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors took over manufacturing the aircraft, designated TBM. Of the 9,836 TBF/TBM Avengers built, GM made 7,546 of them.


Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a TBM Avenger features: