Grumman T B F Avenger Engine and Propeller
by Connie Fox
Title
Grumman T B F Avenger Engine and Propeller
Artist
Connie Fox
Medium
Photograph - Outdoor Bw Photo
Description
Black-and-white lomo closeup of an engine and propeller of a Grumman or General Motors TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world.
Image includes the distinctive upper and lower air scoops of the TBF/TBM Avenger. Two letter Gs found in the serial number indicate this one may have been made by Grumman. TBM indicates an avenger manufactured by General Motors.
The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of World War II. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.
In June 1943, future-President George H.W. Bush became the youngest naval aviator at the time. While flying a TBM with VT-51 (from the USS San Jacinto), his TBM was shot down on 2 September 1944 over the Pacific island of Chichi Jima. Both of his crewmates died. However, he released his payload and hit the target before being forced to bail out. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Another famous Avenger aviator was Paul Newman.
Photographed with subject facing the early-morning sun at the 2013 Wings Over Houston Air Show, Ellington Airport, Houston, Texas. Photo has been cropped to an 8x10 and discretely signed by the artist.
On behalf of the Commemorative Air Force, which produces Wings Over Houston, The Point Group has granted permission to display this and other images from this years air show. My thanks to these organizations. According to Wings Over Houston, publicity for the show greatly benefits our community, so feel free to promote. Your votes and comments are welcome too.
Copyright 2013-14 Connie Steitz Fox. All Rights Reserved. Please note that the watermark will not appear on your purchased artwork. Its purpose is to deter online theft, which can be traced. Nikon D80, hand-held using a Nikkor 50mm/f1.8 lens, ND filter, with available light (subject facing the early morning sun). Photographed in color and digitally converted to black-and-white, with careful processing to preserve and enhance original details.
Featured in Weekly Fun For All Mediums, Premium FAA Artists, and FAA Featured Images, April 2014. Featured on the homepages of Memories and Nostalgia, 500 Views, and The Grayscale Outdoors, November 2014. My thanks!
Grumman T B F Avenger Engine and Propeller
Fine-art military equipment photography by Connie Fox
Uploaded
January 2nd, 2014
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Viewed 1,523 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/25/2024 at 7:01 AM
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Comments (33)
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Photographic Camera Art" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020-2023 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!
Connie Fox
Thank you, Allan Van Gasbeck, for featuring this image in The Grayscale Outdoors. I am honored by that, and delighted!
Allan Van Gasbeck
Congratulations Connie! Your outstanding artwork has been chosen as a FEATURE in the “The Grayscale Outdoors” group on Fine Art America. From the many pieces of artwork received daily to review and choose from, your work has been chosen because of its Excellence!
Connie Fox
Mariola, thank you for the first-class feature on the homepage of 500 Views. I'm delighted!
Garvin Hunter
Love this image!! LF
Connie Fox replied:
Thank you, Garvin! I just entered it in the "Warrior With a Heart" contest, which is open to the public. Your words, vote, and fave encouraged me.
Connie Fox
Hi, Robert! So glad you like my "Grumman TBF Avenger Engine and Propeller," and chose to feature it in the FAA Featured Images group. I am honored!
Connie Fox
Thanks, Dan, for featuring this vintage engine and propeller in Premium FAA Artists. I appreciate that!
Connie Fox
Thank you, Chrisann, for featuring this vintage engine and propeller in Weekly Fun For All Mediums. I appreciate that!
Connie Fox
Ken, thanks for this vital information. I compared this image with the B-17 that must have been parked adjacent to this plane and, sure enough, this one has upper and lower air scoops and the B-17 does not. I wrongly assumed it was the B-17, probably because it was the very next shot and the two were in such close proximity. Thank you for calling the matter to my attention. I shall make the appropriate corrections as soon as possible.
Ken Young
While this is a nice capture of a vintage WWII plane, it is however a Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber as denoted by the very distinct upper & lower air scoops. The Curtiss Helldiver also employed simular air scoops but were not contoured/blended in the same manner. The TBF/TBM enjoyed a very long active service life into the 1970s as a "fire-bomber" / "water-bomber". Both Canada & the U.S. made good use of the heavy load capability in fire fighting. As many as 66 were registered as water-bombers. There are probably fewer than a dozen airworthy TBMs flying today. I believe the last remaining TBM water-bomber was retired as recently as 2012.
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