AZ Trip #31: Pima Air & Space Museum: Part 3: The TBM3 and a Few More Aircraft

The TBM3 Aircraft

In this final look at the Pima Air and Space Museum, it's a visual guided tour of the interesting TBM3 Aircraft and some of the other aircraft... We also met a docent who used to work for the military as an airplane mechanic. We talked with him for a while and he gave us a good history of various world war 2 aircraft. 

WHAT IS THE TBM3 AIRCRAFT? - Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, even when carrying 2,000 pounds (908 kg) of bombs or a single 22.7-inch aerial torpedo, the Avenger could reach a speed of 271 miles per hour (433 km/h). The Avenger’s pilot sat fairly far forward, almost perfectly aligned with the wing leading edge.
 
WHAT FAMOUS PILOT FLEW IT? This is the aircraft type which President George H.W. Bush flew in WWII.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE CONNECTION - Five Avengers made up Flight 19, the aerial formation which disappeared mysteriously over the Bermuda Triangle on December 5th, 1945. 
 
FLOWN BY THE UK - The Royal Navy flew hundreds of Avengers in WWII, and initially named the TBF ‘Tarpon.' 

NEXT: Onto Biosphere II in the Desert!