The Grumman Avenger was a marvel of US ingenuity and mass production. Designed in 5 week and a producion run of nearly 10,000 aircraft, it was used by the US Navy and several of its allies. This aircraft got its name from the Pearl Harbor attacks and was produced by both Grumman (TBF-3) and General Motors (TBM-3). It had is combat debut in 1942 at the Battle of Midway. Although, it did not fare well in that first battle, only one in six returned from their missions, the Avenger would prove to be a vital and lethal weapon against the Japanese.

The Avenger was used extensively by the US, the British, and the Canadians. In fact the Royal Navy used this versatile aircraft until 1962 as an antisubmarine version. Even in civilian life it continued to serve as crop dusters and water bombers. The Avenger truly served a full life of use, both in war and peace.