BEST TORPEDO BOMBER

Evening Star, Issue 25004, 25 October 1943, Page 4

BEST TORPEDO BOMBER

GRUMMAN AVENGER ADDED TO DOMINION'S FORCES

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 2-1. Described as the best torpedo bomber in the world, the Grumman Avenger isthe latest front-line aircraft to be added to the strength of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Machiues destined for use by New Zealand airmen are being assembled at Hobsonville airfield, near Auckland.

A product of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation of the United States, the Avenger is a two or threeseat bomber in service with the United States navy. Structurally it is. a mid* wing monoplane, and is powered with a 1,600 horse-power Wright Double Cyclone engine. Its offensive armament is one 21in torpedo carried completely enclosed in the bomb bay,_. and forward firing machine guns, while there are upper and lower ,gun positions toward the tail for defence. Exact performance details have not been disclosed, but the estimated performance figures are a top, speed of about 270 miles an hour, a cruising' speed of 215 miles an hour, a service ceiling of around 20,000 ft, and a range of 1,400 miles. N Seen on the airfield, the Avenger gives the impression of solidity, but a short demonstration showed that in the hands of a capable pilot it is an ex-. tremely manoeuvrable aircraft. The take-off run was short, and the machine climbed rapidly . unloaded. . For the benefit of the spectators the pilot showed off the machine in two runs across the field at about hangar height, pulling up each time in a steep climbing turn and levelling off at 'about I,oooft. The tightness of the turn and the rate at which height was gained were most impressive for so heavy a machine.

Extensively used by the United States Naval Air Arm, where it is .known as the T.8.F., the Avenger has a fine record of service in the. South-west Pacific. Among torpedo-bombers it .is unique in carrying its torpedo stowed internally, this point making for more efficient and reliable running .after the torpedo is dropped.