Eastern Aircraft TBM-3E Avenger
Registration: N452HA
Bureau #: 85650
Construction #: 2469
Operator: Avery’s Antique Airplanes Inc, Morganton NC
The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and used by a large number of air arms around the world. It entered service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway.
History:
Delivered to Dutch Navy/MLD as P-102 (later 16-102 & 045).
– BOC: Sept. 1953.
Anthony Fokker School, Den Haag, 1964-1975.
– Marked as 045/V.
C Honcoop, Veen, Netherlands, 1976.
Sir W.J.D. Roberts/Strathallan Collection, Auchterader, Scotland, May 1976-1981.
– Registered as G-BTBM, Dec. 23, 1977.
Doug Arnold/Warbirds Of GB Ltd, Blackbushe, July 14, 1981-1985.
– Stored at Blackbushe.
– Removed from civil register, Apr. 20, 1982.
Aces High Ltd, Duxford, June 7, 1985.
– Sold to U.S. buyer on July 22, 1985.
Edward Andrew Deeds, Charlotte, VA, Apr. 1986-1989.
– Registered as N61BD.
Herbert H. Avery, Morganton, NC, July 1989-1991.
– Registered as N452HA.
Avery’s Antique Airplanes Inc, Morganton, NC, Dec. 1991-2002.
– Restored to airworthy as TBM-3E.
– Flown as USN/85650/HA.