- Yes
- No
Japanese Grumman TBM-3S2
The Japanese JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) in the years 1955-1959 used 10 Gumman TBM-3S2 aircraft operationally. In the 1960s, one TBM-3S2 aircraft (number 341) was used for demonstration purposes.
History
On July 1, 1954, the JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) was formed, which, as the other parts of the JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Force), had almost no equipment. There was a shortage of everything, and the threat from the USSR and China was enormous. Therefore, based on the U.S. and Japan Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, the Japanese ordered ten Grumman TBM-3W2 submarine detection aircraft from the U.S. These aircraft were delivered by December 1954. However, the detection of a submarine does not ensure the safety of navigation, the greatest safety is provided by the destruction of an enemy submarine. Therefore, in November 1955, ten Grumman TBM-3S2 anti-submarine attack aircraft were ordered. These planes were a modified version of the TBM-3 planes that less than ten years earlier (1944-45) had conducted air raids on the Japanese islands, and now they were to contribute to their safety and defense. These aircraft were delivered by February 1956. This allowed the Japanese to form an anti-submarine task force at the Omura base. The planes flew in pairs as “Hunter” (TBM-3W2) and “Killer” (TBM-3S2). This strategy was not very convenient, because it forced the search of two planes on the same gun, which reduces the scope of search. In addition, in 1956 the Grumman TBM-3 aircraft were no longer modern, so the JMSDF decided that a successor was needed, which was the Grumman S-2F-1 introduced to the service in 1957, and the Lockheed P2V-7 introduced to the service in 1956. This resulted in the TBM-3 aircraft quickly being transferred to training units and due to the withdrawal of the aircraft due to a malfunction, the TBM-3S2 aircraft (except for aircraft number 341) were withdrawn by June 1959. TBM-3W2s at that time (1959-61) were used as air target tugs and were finally withdrawn in August 1961. The only TBM-3 aircraft that did not go to scrap immediately after its withdrawal was the TBM-3S2 number 2341, which at least until the mid-1960s was placed in demostry cells. It was intended to encourage young Japanese to join the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces. It was exposed to the public view at various shows.
Photos Grumman TBM-3S2
Photos Grumman TBM-3S2 number 2341
Construction description
The Grumman TBM-3S2 is similar to the Grumman TBF-1C and Avenger Mk.II aircraft, but there are big differences between them.
- Replaced the Wright R-2600-8 engine with a take-off power of 1,700 hp (1,300 kW) with the more powerful Wright R-2600-20 engine, with a take-off power of 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)
- Lower and upper defensive towers removed
- A radar operator (along with radar equipment) was now in the place of the defensive gunner
- Part of the cabin glazing was covered with metal plates
- A mount for a search light is installed under the right wing
- Behind the radar operator’s station, a sonar buoy ejector has been installed
- The oxygen system was removed (the plane was supposed to operate on a low level, so it was not needed)
- The aircraft had improved avionics
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 12,48 m
- Wingspan: 16,51 m
- Height: 5 m
- Wing area: 45,52 m2
- Empty weight: 5,014 kg
- Gross weight: 7,838 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 7,983 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × fourteen-cylinder Wright R-2600-20 o’s air-powered radial engine, with a take-off power of 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)
- Propellers: Three-bladed fixed-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 414 km/h
- Cruise speed: 233 km/h
- Range: 1786 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 7803 m
- Climb Rate: 9.4 m/s
- Time to altitude: 23.9 min do 6096 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x M2 Browning machine guns caliber 12.7mm with wings (400 rpg; 800 rounds)
- Bombs:
- 4 x 147 kg (325lb) depth charges (in the bomb bay)
- 1 x torpedo Mk.34 (in the bomb bay)
- Other bombs: unknown
- Rocket
- 8 x HVAR rocket launchers (under the wings)
- Fuel dump tanks
- 1 x 568 l in additional tanks (under one of the wings)
Armour
- Self-sealing fuel tanks
- Crew cabin armor (it is not known how much)
Summary
The Grumman TBM-3S2 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This track-based aircraft/bomber will be a very useful support for Japanese aircraft. With a good cargo for land and sea battles, it will be quite useful. In addition, it would be a unique addition for Japan (other users of TBF/TBM aircraft may get better versions). This aircraft would make a good premium or event aircraft. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
TBF (航空機) - Wikipedia
Grumman TBF Avenger - Wikipedia
Grumman TBM-3 Avenge JMSDF ของกองกำลังป้องกันตนเองทางทะเลญี่ปุ่น | “รัชต์ รัตนวิจารณ์” ท้าวทองไหล
Grumman TBM-3S Avenger : Grumman
Grumman TBF Avenger (1942)
이즈모급 - 유용원의군사세계 - 전문가광장 > 무기백과
海上自衛隊の装備品一覧 - Wikipedia
グラマン/GM TBM-3W2/-3S2アベンジャー
hikokikumo.net/a3612Tamagawa1963.htm
(1) リタイ屋の梅 w serwisie X: „海上自衛隊は、太平洋戦争の仇敵アヴェンジャー艦攻の派生型を運用していた。 #歴史知らない人が嘘だと思うけど本当の事言え https://t.co/av9WXCejtm” / X
Book sources
- (Monografie Lotnicze No.80) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Cz.1 (Aviation Monographs No.80) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Part 1)
(Monografie Lotnicze No.80) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Cz.1 | PDF - (Monografie Lotnicze No.81) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Cz.2 (Aviation Monographs No.80) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Part 2)
(Monografie Lotnicze No.81) Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger, Cz.2 | PDF - tbm-3s.pdf
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
