Oxford Diecast Aviation Series Model

TBM (TBF) Avenger – LTJG George H.W. Bush, VT 51, USS San Jacinto, U.S. Navy, 1943

1:72 Scale.  Length: 6.8".  Wingspan: 9"

In June 1942, George H.W. Bush enlisted in the US Navy and in August began preflight training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. On June 9, 1943, after completing the ten month course, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, several days before his 19th birthday; making him the youngest naval aviator at the time. On September 2, 1944, while assigned to Torpedo Squadron (VT-51) based on the USS San Jacinto, Bush piloted one of four TBM Avengers that attacked Japanese installations on the Pacific island of Chichi-Jima. During the attack Bush's aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire. He completed the mission and released his bombs over the target scoring several damaging hits. With his engine on fire, Bush flew several miles from the island where he and one of the other crew members on the Avenger bailed out of their aircraft. The parachute of the crew member who bailed out with Bush did not open and he fell to his death while the other perished with the aircraft. For this action, Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On January 20, 1989, George H.W. Bush was inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States.


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. It 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 three man crew: pilot, turret gunner and 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 mi (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.


Oxford presents a range of value priced, high quality, die-cast model airplanes. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft.

This model of a TBM Avenger features: