The Grumman TBF Avenger made its combat debut during the Battle of Midway in 1942 - and only one of the six aircraft returned. Despite this rocky start, it quickly became the backbone of the Navy ...

In WWII, this role was carried out in the US Navy by the Consolidated PBY Catalina and the Grumman TBF Avenger ... internally referred to as the Model G-89, which consisted of a high wing ...