[VC-81_BOLTER]

The Avenger saw a good deal of service in Korea. Mostly as COD or Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft but also as MedEvac flying ambulances. They also did sea control duty maintaining surveillance of the oceans around the carrier, anti submarine duty and on occasion night fighter service as well. Our in game version has a turret however the actual aircraft had a canopy back there with the gun turret removed.



Operating from the USS Philippine Sea in November of 1950.

(The link is inoperative)

[highlander_262]

Looking good bolter, nice one mate 8)

[Stretch32]

Great skin. I really like the Korean era and it's great to see some recognition of a forgotten aircraft from the Korean Conflict.

My grandfather served as aircrew in an Avenger squadron during Korea with VS-23. Their primary task was the detection and destruction of hostile submarines, Korean, Chinese and even Russian if the need had arose. Given the extremely limited Korean and Chinese Navies at the time they never killed any subs although they tracked a number of Russian subs to keep them away from American fleets operating in the Yellow Sea.

They were also called upon in the early stages of the War to launch ground strikes with HVAR's and bombs. He mentioned a few strikes where they were the nearest asset and were called upon to launch their ASW rockets at ground targets. It was very hit or miss for the UN gorund forces during the early part of the war and apparently desperate times called for desperate measures.

As a side note, early Korean Avengers still carried their aft turret, these were TBM-3E's. The TBM-3S had the turret removed and the extended canopy added for an additional radar/sonar bouy operator. It also was fairly common to have a mixed squadron of both types while transitioning to the S model (my grandad has a squadron pic with both versions in the formation). The R model was the COD version.

Anyway, great skin.

Stretch

I forgot to ask, where did you get the template? I'd like to do my grandfather's squadron at some point but haven't found a good template. Thx.

[VT-51_Razor]

Beautiful skin Bolter!

[Maico]

YES!!!! I have been waiting for this. Great Skin indeed. Thanks Bolter

Also good stuff Stretch32. Thanks for the info, much apreciated. Its great to hear it from someone who has a first hand account of what was happening.

[VC-81_BOLTER]

Stretch, thanks for the detailed information. I didn't have that stuff from my books. Most of the data gets scanty after 1945. I made the TBM templates myself some years back when we first got the Avenger in "Pacific Fighters". I have for my own personal use versions of the Avenger in Atlantic white/grey and all the various blue schemes from the Pacific. This is my first KTO skin for the Turkey.

I have been to VC-81's reunion in 2006. Speaking with actual pilots and air crew from TBM's and FM-2's was a chance of a lifetime. I could spend hours writing about their stories.... The naval aviator in the TBM who had to do #2 during a patrol flight was HYSTERICAL! There is no toilet in an Avenger!

Thank you all for kind comments!

[={TTU}=Zumbach]

Thanks Bolter for doing that 8)

[bartjhu]

The Avenger saw a good deal of service in Korea. Mostly as COD or Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft but also as MedEvac flying ambulances. They also did sea control duty maintaining surveillance of the oceans around the carrier, anti submarine duty and on occasion night fighter service as well. Our in game version has a turret however the actual aircraft had a canopy back there with the gun turret removed.



Operating from the USS Philippine Sea in November of 1950.

(The link is inoperative)

does enyone know whare I can find the tbm avenger mod? (the plane)

[AIRdomination]

In your STOCK game perhaps?

[99th_Swivet]

Good skin Bolter.....Thanx..I really love this bird.

[max_thehitman]

EXCELLENT !! Great paintjob mate! I like it!

Cheers
MAX-theHitman

[Fey]

Exelent skin mate, I`d like to download it, but link said that "file doesn`t exist"