Navy's main torpedo bomber introduced in 1935, was obsolete by 1939. roundel and flag-inspired fin flash on the rudder, both of which were removed prior to the Battle of Midway to avoid confusion with Japanese insignia. Design and development A Grumman TBM ( GM-built TBF) with Sto-Wing folding wings TBF-1 Avenger early in 1942. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective and widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II, sharing credit for sinking the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi (the only ships of that type sunk exclusively by American aircraft while under way) and being credited for sinking 30 submarines. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway.

The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American World War II-era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.

World war 2 navy squadrons