Warbird Information Exchange

Should I keep my Avenger painted as she is - representative of a combat machine VT-83 or put it into its 1945 generic scheme as made in June '45. I have no phtos of her in that scheme or in act any of her 'active' Navy time. [Bu. Nu. 91110]

When was she "cashiered out"? What was her history afterwards?

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Sketchy details says she spent most of her post war years with the USNR @ Floyd Bennett Field NYC and left the ownership of Uncle Sam around 1957 went to TBM Inc and earned her living as a firebomber for some time.

The aircraft was a TBM-3E that was accepted by the Navy on 7/9/45. It was assigned to the Naval Air Reserve Training Command at NAS New York (Floyd Bennett Field) until 10/27/50, when it was sent to Overhaul and Repair (O&R) NAS Norfolk until 1/23/52. From there it was assigned to the Naval Air Reserve training Unit at Norfolk until it went back to O&R Norfolk. It was retired on 29 April 1953 and striken on July 1956. The total hours flown were 1,422 and the total months operational flying were 44.

If your TBM flew with the USNR it probably was overall Gloss Sea Blue with the Insignia Orange fuselage band. I've always thought this was an attractive and different scheme and I would love to see an Avenger flying in that scheme.

Similar to this Bearcat:

http://www.air-and-space.com/20040516%20Chino/Dsc_0636%20F8F-2%20N198F%20left%20front%20taxiing%20l.jpg

I'll look at home and see if I can find any pics of Floyd Bennett Field Reserve TBMs.

Jim

I concur with Jim. You rarely if ever see any planes representative of the Air Reserve. There a loads of veterans out there that flew long hours with the reserve, and I dare say the overwhelming majority of today's surviving Navy warbirds served out their entire service lives flying ONLY reserve or Stateside duty.

The Friedkin Bearcat is now painted in reserve markings which I thought was a very fresh departure from the norm. Since NAS Norfolk was smack dab in the heart of the Navy's activities during the service life of your plane, I'd choose that scheme if you decide to go with Reserve colors. The bright orange compliments would surely be unique, and would definitely make your plane stand out among the rest of the dark blue crowd IMO.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
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I'm interested if we can find a photo of her or a "seeesster"....

Well, besides the obvious answer that “It’s my darn airplane and I’ll paint it any color I wish” (which I believe to be every warbird owner’s inalienable right), I’m from the school that think any scheme, or close approximation, to whatever colors the aircraft ever served is fair game. I’m not a big fan of duplicate paint schemes in warbirds, just because the planes are rare enough that I feel we should be able to come up with unique schemes (how many Glamorous Glennis Mustangs are out there?).

As for the TBM I prefer the light blue “weathered” look, but it’s just my personal preference. Anything except a scheme like the CAF Wildcat/Martlet at Midland. The thing looks like a plastic model done by one of my kids.

Here be a seeesster.



TBM-3E VS-833 Reserve NAS Floyd Bennett Field, NY.

Jim

Hi Oscar

I understand you motive here and it would be nice to see it in the above scheme however there are some really great RN and Kiwi schemes that I could reccomend and they are both different and appropriate to this part of the world. Or you could paint it as it was in the UK for a few years. You know I love this aircraft but this is just my opinion.

Regards
John







[img]http://image12.webshots.com/12/3/98/1/134439801APphal_ph.jpg[img]

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

Setter,
Kiwis are now a non-warlike race and the RN is too distant for me and my bride comes from Atlanta....

AiRjim

Thanks for the shot of a New York TBM. Can you make out the Bu.Nu.????

Any others around???

Hi Oscar

Yes but if you go to Nowra (as you once were in a certain B25 you would notice lots of nice shots of Australians flying Tarpons in the RN.

Everyone here is a shot of Oscar single handed taking out the RANFAA a loooooong time ago.

Regards
JP

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

My recollections of my time at Albatross is subdued by an alcoholic fog...as is my time on the big grey war canoe...

Oscar

One hopes you weren't in an alcholic fog at the time I took this Pic - One great day - That display was awsome and if it was 50 over the runway i'll eat my hat. I was the goose in the Greens standing at the end of the strip - you must remember that - I think you were using me as a target!!!!

John P

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Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

Most fun I've ever had was flying that B-25. I'd love to have a photo of us sailing past the train going to Broken Hill at the same height as the loco etc...