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US Navy · Carrier Torpedo Bomber · ASW Patrol · Atlantic · Pacific

Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger

TBF-1 / TBF-1C / TBM-1 / TBM-3 · US Navy, USMC & Fleet Air Arm · 1942–1945
USAAF / USN route with unit, theatre and markings context

The Grumman Avenger replaced the Devastator and became the US Navy’s big, rugged carrier torpedo bomber: a three-seat aircraft used for torpedo attacks, level bombing, anti-submarine patrol, radar work and close support. For modellers it means a deep fuselage, large greenhouse canopy, powered dorsal turret, internal torpedo/bomb bay, folded-wing carrier stance, Atlantic ASW finishes, tri-colour Pacific schemes and weathered deck operations.

3
Crew
1×R-2600
Radial
Bay
Torpedo/bomb
ASW
Patrol role

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: USAAF / US Navy. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
Olive Drab / Sea BlueMain upper colour depending on USAAF or US Navy subjectXF-62 / XF-1771.043 / 71.300AK RC023 / RC258H52 / H54
Neutral Grey / Intermediate BlueUndersides or naval mid-toneXF-53 / XF-1871.051 / 71.299AK RC024 / RC256H53 / H56
Interior Green / Bronze GreenCockpit and internal structuresXF-5 + yellow mix71.137AK RC230H58/H302
Insignia White / BlackMarkings, invasion stripes and walkwaysXF-2 / XF-6971.001 / 71.057AK RC004 / RC022H1 / H12
Natural Metal / AluminiumNMF aircraft, chipping and landing gearLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Zinc Chromate / Yellow GreenWheel wells and internal areas where appropriateXF-471.094AK RC262H329
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringExhaust, tyres, gun staining and oil streaksXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

Avenger operations · 1942–1945

The TBF/TBM Avenger was the US Navy’s main carrier torpedo bomber from 1942 onward. It served from Midway and Guadalcanal through the Solomons, Central Pacific, Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf and Atlantic anti-submarine patrols. A good Avenger model starts with the role: early TBF-1, later TBM-3, Atlantic ASW aircraft, radar-fitted night/patrol machine, Fleet Air Arm Tarpon/Avenger or Marine land-base route.

3Crew
R-2600Radial
TBF/TBMVariants
BayTorpedo/bombs
TBF/TBM Avenger real reference
Real Avenger photo route: check TBF/TBM variant, turret, antenna/radar fit, torpedo bay, folded wings, theatre markings and camouflage before paint.

Role & strengths

  • US Navy carrier torpedo bomber, level bomber and ASW patrol aircraft
  • Pacific carrier strikes, Atlantic ASW, USMC land-base and Fleet Air Arm routes
  • Large greenhouse canopy, dorsal turret, ventral gun, torpedo bay and wing-fold options
  • Blue-Grey/Light Grey, tri-colour Navy camouflage, Gloss Sea Blue and ASW schemes
  • Salt fading, exhaust staining, deck wear, oil, torpedo-bay grime and coral/island dust

Key theatres

  • Midway, Solomons and Central Pacific carrier routes
  • Atlantic anti-submarine patrol and escort-carrier operations
  • Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf strike routes
  • Fleet Air Arm Tarpon/Avenger and USMC land-base options

Specification TBM-3

Crew3Length40 ft 11 inWingspan54 ft 2 inMax speedc.276 mphPowerplant1× Wright R-2600 radialArmamentForward guns, dorsal turret, ventral gun, torpedo/bombs/rockets

Survivors today

Avenger survivor reference

Surviving Avengers are useful for turret layout, canopy framing, torpedo bay, wing fold, undercarriage, antennae and carrier-weathering references.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this Avenger as…

Pick the role first. A Midway TBF-1, tri-colour TBM-3, Atlantic ASW aircraft, Fleet Air Arm Tarpon/Avenger and USMC land-base aircraft all need different markings and details.

Aircraft identity

★US Navy
VTTorpedo squadron
R2600Radial
◉Dorsal turret
⚓Carrier deck
ASWPatrol
Variant warning

TBF-1, TBF-1C, TBM-1 and TBM-3 details differ. Check turret, guns, antennae, radar, cowling and markings before committing.

Role warning

Do not weather every Avenger the same. Carrier strike, ASW, Marine land-base and Fleet Air Arm aircraft lived different lives.

Paint scheme cards

EarlyBlue-Grey / Light Grey

Early TBF route with blue-grey fading, carrier deck wear and early insignia checks.

PacificTri-colour Navy camouflage

TBM-3 route with sea-blue fading, intermediate blue sides and white undersides.

ASWAtlantic patrol finish

Atlantic Avengers need patrol finishes, radar/antenna checks and salt-weathering logic.

LateGloss Sea Blue

Late TBMs need restrained gloss variation, exhaust and deck scuffing.

Campaign cards

Early Pacific

Midway/Solomons TBF route with early markings and carrier-weathered blue-grey finish.

Central Pacific

TBM-3 route with tri-colour camouflage, torpedo/bomb loads and carrier-deck grime.

Atlantic ASW

Escort-carrier patrol route with radar, white/grey finish and salt-weathering.

Fleet Air Arm / USMC

Alternative markings and land-base grime for Tarpon/Avenger and Marine aircraft.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

High. Big canopy, turret, torpedo bay and wing-fold options need planning.

Signature detail

High. Turret, canopy and torpedo bay define the aircraft.

Weathering difficulty

High. Carrier, ASW, Marine and Fleet Air Arm routes all need different finishes.

Paint codesBlue-Grey, tri-colour, Gloss Sea Blue and ASW finishesTechniqueCarrier wear, turret masking, torpedo bay grime and salt fadingArticleAvenger kits, torpedo bomber variants and weathering guide

Avenger carrier, Marine and ASW units

Sortable Avenger unit cards covering early carrier torpedo squadrons, Atlantic ASW, Central Pacific TBMs, Fleet Air Arm and Marine land-base routes.

Route:Sort:

TBF/TBM Avenger operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked Avenger unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

TBF/TBM Avenger build guide

Kit choice wizard

TBF/TBM Avenger videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.