Harlin Avezzi's TBF-1C Restoration

[Jim MacDonald]

Does anyone have any information on how Harlin Avezzi's TBF-1C restoration is going or if he even still has it?

It's been many years since I've seen any info on this restoration (in an old Air Classics?) & I was wondering if any progress has been made since then.

Thanks,

Mac

[Warbird Kid]

Got to ask him when he flew in to Corsairs over Connecticut. He said its still a big project. He's restoring 3 turrets right now and another PT-23 for a customer I believe so not sure what it looks like. Would love to see a pic if anyone has one.

[RMAllnutt]

I talked to him at COC too. IIRC he's worked on/restored 23 TBM turrets over the last couple of years. The TBF is a very long term project, and he said that he pretty much has had to completely rebuild the fuselage. Apparently there was quite a bit of corrosion. The paying work obviously has to take priority over the personal projects, but he's still working on her.

Cheers,
Richard

[Chris Brame]

This thread from 2005 has the photos I took at NAS Glenview after it was recovered:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5517&p=46274&hilit=tbf+glenview#p46274

Anyone have newer ones?

[whistlingdeath77]

Harlin has tons of work to do and the avenger is still sitting in a garage disasembled in westfield, Ma. A very long-term project he wants to be the only one to work on it as opposed to having volunteers help out. Thus making it years and years away.

[krlang]

Its Harland BTW,

[whistlingdeath77]

Mr. Harland!

[Jerry O'Neill]

One of the things he has been doing for the project is finding all the goodies he needs for a TBF-1. A lot of things are different from the early TBF's to the later TBM's.
As he's been locating and restoring almost thirty turrets over the years he has found the odd items that only fit an "F". Even the turret interupter gears are different.
Lots of small parts, panels, and instruments are restored and waiting for the day that the airframe gets into the shop.
Jerry

[whistlingdeath77]

One of the things he has been doing for the project is finding all the goodies he needs for a TBF-1. A lot of things are different from the early TBF's to the later TBM's.
As he's been locating and restoring almost thirty turrets over the years he has found the odd items that only fit an "F". Even the turret interupter gears are different.
Lots of small parts, panels, and instruments are restored and waiting for the day that the airframe gets into the shop.
Jerry

Jerry, is Yogi still alive in NY? He was a corsair pilot and was there in 2005 but i dont remember running into him at this years event

[Jerry O'Neill]

Yes, Yogi is still with us.

[Chris Brame]

Good to know Mr. Avezzie is making progress and taking the time to make it authentic. One question I had that wasn't answered back then: Did this plane have a turret when it was in use as a trainer? In the second and seventh photos you can just barely see a circular brace with six tubular spokes where the turret would be. Is this the mount for the turret or is this a filler for where the turret would go?

[Warbird Kid]

Anyone know of any updates?

[Cvairwerks]

His website hasn't been updated since March of 2019.

[JohnB]

If restored, would it be the only TBF flying...or even in private hands?

[Jerry O'Neill]

TBF-1 Update:
The center section had some damage from the water crash and the gear twisted a few things when it went in. This is the heart of the aircraft and about 3 years ago, he started in on the center section. Remember, he dos a lot of restoration work on Hemi-engine cars, aircraft turrets etc, so he's been busy bringing the cash in. The center section repair are pretty much done now and he's moving on to the rest of the airframe.
It's been a long term project, but it'll be flying one of these days. You'll all be surprised at it's accuracy!
Jerry