TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 16) [Paperback]

Barrett Tillman (Author), Tom Tullis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999 | Series: Combat Aircraft

As its name suggests, the Avenger meted out severe retribution on the Japanese in the Pacific, participating in every major engagement through to VJ-Day. As a key weapon of World War II (1939-1945), the Avenger was so highly valued by the US Navy that its demand for the aircraft soon outstripped Grumman's production capacity, so General Motors [GM] was contracted to build the near identical TBM from September 1942 onwards. Over 1000 Avengers also saw action with the Fleet Air Arm in both the Atlantic and the Pacific through to VJ-Day, and two squadrons of RNZAF TBDs fought alongside American Avengers on Bougainville in 1944.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

About the Author

Barrett Tillman is the world’s most prolific US naval aviation author, having published over two-dozen titles on the World War 2 period alone. He has written numerous books for Osprey in recent years, and he is currently working on several future projects too.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855329026
• ISBN-13: 978-1855329027
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barrett Tillman (b. 1948) was born into a NE Oregon ranching family and developed an early interest in aviation history. He learned to fly as a teenager, was first published at age 15, and graduated from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree in 1971. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, book publisher, and magazine editor, but has been self employed all but seven years since graduating from college. Though best known for his histories of US naval aviation, he also has published six novels plus short stories, and has sold a screenplay.

Tillman continues writing nonfiction books and has written more than 550 articles in the US and abroad. He frequently appears as a commentator on TV documentaries in addition to his speaking appearances. The recipient of six writing awards, he lives with his wife in Arizona.

Tillman's web site and blog are found at www.btillman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Rounded Introduction to Grumman's Avenger!, April 3, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 16) (Paperback)

The TBF/TBM Avenger saw global service in World War II, serving with U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Fleet Air Arm and Royal New Zealand units. Entering service in June 1942 the Avenger became one of the Navy's main strike aircraft and a first-class sub-killer in its own right. Noted aviation historian Barrett Tillman relates the combat career of Grumman's portly but potent torpedo bomber in this Osprey 'Combat Aircraft' book, #16 in the series.

The Avenger's combat introduction came in the Battle of Midway, VT-8 losing five of six TBFs sent against the Japanese fleet. With Grumman and Eastern Aircraft cranking out Avengers at a prodigious pace - almost 10,000 were produced from 1942 to 1945 - the Avenger soon made its presence felt, participating in all the major battles of the Pacific War. Along with engaging various Japanese fleet units till war's end, Avenger units also pounded Japanese island bases, provided support for numerous invasion forces and sank over 30 Japanese and German submarines.

Author Tillman does a fine job of relating the Avenger's war record, including a number of first-hand combat accounts in the book. The Avenger's PTO record is covered in three chapters with single chapters on its sub-hunting exploits, RN/RNZAF usage and a Combat Assessment. Almost 100 photographs and 12 pages of color sideviews by Tom Tullis help create an comprehensive introduction to the Avenger.

Navy air war fans will enjoy this well-done, well-written and reasonably priced book. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book!, January 17, 2011

By 

J. Ellison "Tarot reader" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 16) (Paperback)

My father had been a radioman/gunner in the TBF Avenger during WWII. This book is an outstanding resource on this aircraft and the outfits which flew them. There are great photos and excellent write-ups of the Avenger's history. There are also a good number of color illustrations showing various paint schemes from many of the squadrons which flew the TBF/TBM. A must for anyone who is interested in the aircraft or the men who flew them.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good information, August 30, 2008

By 

Harald Isachsen "Harold" (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 16) (Paperback)

Very good information on this aircraft and very usefull as background knowledge for one of my book projects.