Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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

This book was ordered 05/14/2010 we are 07/11/2010 and it is sitll pending. So I have a single question where is my book ?

Do you think that 2 monthes is enough to cross the Atlantic ocean from US to France ???? Charles Lindbergh did it in 33 hours and 30 minutes...

Still waiting my book.