.. Jalbum 8.3 slides/TBM Placard.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 The Grumman TBF (TBM designate for planes manufactured by Eastern Aircraft a division of General Motors) was a torpedo bomber built for the U.S. Mavy and Marine Corps. The TBD Douglas Devastator torpedo bomber introduced in 1935 was obsolete by 1939 and last saw action in the Battle of Midway. The Avenger, Grumman's first torpedo plane, was the heaviest single-engine aircraft of WWII and it featured Grumman's new wing fold mechanism to maximize storage space on a carrier. The Wildcat and Hellcat received similiar folding wings. The Grumman TBF (TBM designate for planes manufactured by Eastern Aircraft a division of General Motors) was a torpedo bomber built for the U.S. Mavy and Marine Corps. The TBD Douglas Devastator torpedo bomber introduced in 1935 was obsolete by 1939 and last saw action in the Battle of Midway. The Avenger, Grumman's first torpedo plane, was the heaviest single-engine aircraft of WWII and it featured Grumman's new wing fold mechanism to maximize storage space on a carrier. The Wildcat and Hellcat received similiar folding wings. slides/TBM Placard.jpg slides/TBM_32B.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Most produced version was the TBM-3 which started production in 1944 and totaled 4,600. At wars end most of the Avengers in service were dash-1s. This plane was produced January 1945. Arrived in San Diego June 1945 and ended up in a VC (composite squadron) in July 1945 at Guam. Never saw action and was mothballed at Litchfield till 1948 and brought out for service as a COD, carrier on-board delivery. Last served aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1956. Sold to Sacramento Cropdusting in 1960 for $1 Most produced version was the TBM-3 which started production in 1944 and totaled 4,600. At wars end most of the Avengers in service were dash-1s. This plane was produced January 1945. Arrived in San Diego June 1945 and ended up in a VC (composite squadron) in July 1945 at Guam. Never saw action and was mothballed at Litchfield till 1948 and brought out for service as a COD, carrier on-board delivery. Last served aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1956. Sold to Sacramento Cropdusting in 1960 for $1 slides/TBM_32B.JPG slides/TBM Ckpt_01.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Unrestored cockpit 1998 Unrestored cockpit 1998 slides/TBM Ckpt_01.jpg slides/TBM Ckpt_02.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Empty instrument panel seen on floor. Gauges removed by Western Aerospace and never seen again after we acquired the plane. Empty instrument panel seen on floor. Gauges removed by Western Aerospace and never seen again after we acquired the plane. slides/TBM Ckpt_02.jpg slides/TBM Ckpt_03.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Throttle controls off to the left Throttle controls off to the left slides/TBM Ckpt_03.jpg slides/TBM instrument panel_01.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Complete instrument panel after hunting down correct instruments through eBay and warbird collectors. Oxygen regulators in front. Complete instrument panel after hunting down correct instruments through eBay and warbird collectors. Oxygen regulators in front. slides/TBM instrument panel_01.jpg slides/TBM panel_gauges_02.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Various compasses, fuel gauge and gun charger Various compasses, fuel gauge and gun charger slides/TBM panel_gauges_02.jpg slides/TBM radios.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Collection of correct radios. Seen are the large ART-13, ARC-5 and ARR-2 plus their control heads. Collection of correct radios. Seen are the large ART-13, ARC-5 and ARR-2 plus their control heads. slides/TBM radios.jpg slides/TBM_01.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Cowling after removal of firebomber paint scheme. Process runs from 1999-2003. Cowling after removal of firebomber paint scheme. Process runs from 1999-2003. slides/TBM_01.jpg slides/TBM_04.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Corrosion visible on wing Corrosion visible on wing slides/TBM_04.jpg slides/TBM_02.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Two back panels removed due to through and through corrosion. Needed to fabricate new panels using correct aluminum in correct gauge with correct holes for zeus fasteners and openings for small access points riveted back into place. Never had experience before that. Made three to get two perfect. Two back panels removed due to through and through corrosion. Needed to fabricate new panels using correct aluminum in correct gauge with correct holes for zeus fasteners and openings for small access points riveted back into place. Never had experience before that. Made three to get two perfect. slides/TBM_02.jpg slides/TBM_03.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Disassembly of plane started. Canopy removed and 50mm gun turret on deck. Disassembly of plane started. Canopy removed and 50mm gun turret on deck. slides/TBM_03.jpg slides/TBM_08B.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_08B.JPG slides/TBM_09.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Fabric elevators removed and entire plane cleaned with scothbrite until all surfaces were spotless. Fabric elevators removed and entire plane cleaned with scothbrite until all surfaces were spotless. slides/TBM_09.jpg slides/TBM_05.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Removal of riveted panels and the start of trial fitting replacements. Removal of riveted panels and the start of trial fitting replacements. slides/TBM_05.jpg slides/TBM_06.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 More replacement panels in place. All cut from sheet 4x8 2024T. More replacement panels in place. All cut from sheet 4x8 2024T. slides/TBM_06.jpg slides/TBM_07.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Close up of R-2600-20 1900 horsepower engine Close up of R-2600-20 1900 horsepower engine slides/TBM_07.jpg slides/TBM_10.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 View of radioman's and gunner's access hatch View of radioman's and gunner's access hatch slides/TBM_10.jpg slides/TBM_11.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Position for gun turret Position for gun turret slides/TBM_11.jpg slides/TBM_12.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Fabricating a difficult under wing panel but two ex-Navy aircraft mechanics Fabricating a difficult under wing panel but two ex-Navy aircraft mechanics slides/TBM_12.jpg slides/TBM_13.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_13.jpg slides/TBM_14.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Caught cleaning the plane. Elevators on top of pallets on the deck. All fabric was replaced. Caught cleaning the plane. Elevators on top of pallets on the deck. All fabric was replaced. slides/TBM_14.jpg slides/TBM_15.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Drilling holes for the rivets and using clecos to hold panels in place Drilling holes for the rivets and using clecos to hold panels in place slides/TBM_15.jpg slides/TBM_16.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_16.jpg slides/TBM_17.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_17.jpg slides/TBM_18.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Still cleaning metal Still cleaning metal slides/TBM_18.jpg slides/TBM_19.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_19.jpg slides/TBM_20.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_20.jpg slides/Turret_00.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 50mm electrically operated gun turret. Not original to plane as they were all dumped. Former owner of plane located an original. Looking at 2 inch armor glass. 50mm electrically operated gun turret. Not original to plane as they were all dumped. Former owner of plane located an original. Looking at 2 inch armor glass. slides/Turret_00.jpg slides/Turret_01.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/Turret_01.jpg slides/Turret_02.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 B&W photos takened to document turret before complete disassembly. B&W photos takened to document turret before complete disassembly. slides/Turret_02.jpg slides/Turret_03.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/Turret_03.jpg slides/Turret_04.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/Turret_04.jpg slides/Turret_06.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/Turret_06.jpg slides/Turret_12.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Refurbished turret. 50mm gun donated to ship one surprising day. Turret is electrically operate as well as operate under manual control. Looking at armored front. Refurbished turret. 50mm gun donated to ship one surprising day. Turret is electrically operate as well as operate under manual control. Looking at armored front. slides/Turret_12.JPG slides/Turret_13.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Rear view of motors that control elevation and rotation. Note all bolts, nuts and washers replaced with correct new fasteners. Mount made by Tom McNanama to facilitate working on the turret. Rear view of motors that control elevation and rotation. Note all bolts, nuts and washers replaced with correct new fasteners. Mount made by Tom McNanama to facilitate working on the turret. slides/Turret_13.JPG slides/Turret_14.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 View of where gunner sits. Very tight and you need to be quite small when curled up in there. View of where gunner sits. Very tight and you need to be quite small when curled up in there. slides/Turret_14.JPG slides/Turret_15.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/Turret_15.JPG slides/TBM_26.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Plane back from painting Plane back from painting slides/TBM_26.jpg slides/TBM_29.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Setting up hoisting points while on the pier Setting up hoisting points while on the pier slides/TBM_29.jpg slides/TBM_27.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Raised to Elevator 3 Raised to Elevator 3 slides/TBM_27.jpg slides/TBM_28.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 As seen on L3 As seen on L3 slides/TBM_28.jpg slides/Turret_16.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Using ship's hoist to lift turret into position Using ship's hoist to lift turret into position slides/Turret_16.jpg slides/Turret_17.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Turret in position Turret in position slides/Turret_17.jpg slides/TBM_31.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Assembled canopy's and showing missing bomb bay doors which are extremely rare today. One must build their own if they can find the plans. Assembled canopy's and showing missing bomb bay doors which are extremely rare today. One must build their own if they can find the plans. slides/TBM_31.jpg slides/TBM_33.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_33.jpg slides/TBM_40.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Tail showing markings for VT-17 and indentifying the plane as from the Hornet Tail showing markings for VT-17 and indentifying the plane as from the Hornet slides/TBM_40.jpg slides/TBM_51.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Windows for radioman Windows for radioman slides/TBM_51.jpg slides/TBM_30.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Formal shot of the plane upon the reintroduction to the ship Formal shot of the plane upon the reintroduction to the ship slides/TBM_30.jpg slides/TBM_41.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Rear view of bomb bay. Could carry one Mk 13 torpedo, or one 2000lb bomb or four 500lb bombs. Rear view of bomb bay. Could carry one Mk 13 torpedo, or one 2000lb bomb or four 500lb bombs. slides/TBM_41.jpg slides/TBM_42.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Forward bomb/torpedo compartment. On either side would be to batteries sitting on the black platforms. Through two holes is the oil cooler flap which is opened to aid flow of air when plane is idling. Above is attachment point for the lever system that opens and closes bom bay. Forward bomb/torpedo compartment. On either side would be to batteries sitting on the black platforms. Through two holes is the oil cooler flap which is opened to aid flow of air when plane is idling. Above is attachment point for the lever system that opens and closes bom bay. slides/TBM_42.jpg slides/TBM_43.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Front tire and hub assembly. Large eyehook is attachment point for bridle to move plane around. Front tire and hub assembly. Large eyehook is attachment point for bridle to move plane around. slides/TBM_43.jpg slides/TBM_44.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 A look inside a wheel well A look inside a wheel well slides/TBM_44.jpg slides/TBM_49.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Navigational light and small compartment to stow cable that holds wing back in folding position. Attachment point is an eyehook in the forward surface of the elevator. Navigational light and small compartment to stow cable that holds wing back in folding position. Attachment point is an eyehook in the forward surface of the elevator. slides/TBM_49.jpg slides/TBM_50.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Trailing wheel typical of a tail dragger Trailing wheel typical of a tail dragger slides/TBM_50.jpg slides/TBM_45.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Under the turret view from radioman's seat. In back the hydraulic pump and reservoir for folding wings, wing timing valves, wing lock, oil cooler flap, and brakes. Platform in front would have a massive array of radios such as the main ART-13 and smaller ARC-5. Telegraph key would be present along with gauges for altitude and air speed. Cables to left for control surfacers and black scuff material for crawl space to mid-section behind pilot. All parts for interior have been found. Under the turret view from radioman's seat. In back the hydraulic pump and reservoir for folding wings, wing timing valves, wing lock, oil cooler flap, and brakes. Platform in front would have a massive array of radios such as the main ART-13 and smaller ARC-5. Telegraph key would be present along with gauges for altitude and air speed. Cables to left for control surfacers and black scuff material for crawl space to mid-section behind pilot. All parts for interior have been found. slides/TBM_45.jpg slides/TBM_47.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Closer view of pump and reservoir Closer view of pump and reservoir slides/TBM_47.jpg slides/TBM_46.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Behind radioman to tail. Earlier TBM's had a 20mm machine gun where the aluminum plate is. Above is a rack for flares not seen in picture. Access hatch to the left. Behind radioman to tail. Earlier TBM's had a 20mm machine gun where the aluminum plate is. Above is a rack for flares not seen in picture. Access hatch to the left. slides/TBM_46.jpg slides/TBM_48.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 View as seen by radioman looking up into gunners position. This is where you slide through if small enough to sit on a nice thin aluminum seat. Yellow handles are the manual controls for rotation and elevation. View as seen by radioman looking up into gunners position. This is where you slide through if small enough to sit on a nice thin aluminum seat. Yellow handles are the manual controls for rotation and elevation. slides/TBM_48.jpg slides/TBM_52.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Above is antenna for the APN-1 navigational radio. Below is a small latch that ties the flaps together when the wings are down. The timing check valves open this latch first before the wings start to fold back. Above is antenna for the APN-1 navigational radio. Below is a small latch that ties the flaps together when the wings are down. The timing check valves open this latch first before the wings start to fold back. slides/TBM_52.jpg slides/TBM_53.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Pilot's right side sliding door missed in original painting. Redone in correct color and incorrect screws removed for correct ones then reinstalled onto plane 5 Aug 2009. Red handle is latch to gain access when window is closed and locking pin in place. Pilot's right side sliding door missed in original painting. Redone in correct color and incorrect screws removed for correct ones then reinstalled onto plane 5 Aug 2009. Red handle is latch to gain access when window is closed and locking pin in place. slides/TBM_53.jpg slides/TBM_54.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_54.JPG slides/TBM_55.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Hydraulic wing lock Hydraulic wing lock slides/TBM_55.JPG slides/TBM_56.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_56.JPG slides/TBM_57.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_57.JPG slides/TBM_58.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_58.JPG slides/TBM_59.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_59.JPG slides/TBM_60.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_60.JPG slides/TBM_61.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 slides/TBM_61.JPG slides/TBM_62.html# Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:09:23 -0500 Fuel lines Fuel lines slides/TBM_62.JPG