NZDF-Serials Grumman Avenger

NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RNZAF Grumman TBF-1 &TBF-1C Avenger
NZ2501 to NZ2548

Grumman Avenger NZ2510

Serial	c/n	Type	U.S.N.	Aircraft history
NZ2501	5211	TBF-1	Bu24328	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Gisborne during October 1943. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2502	5215	TBF-1	Bu24332	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Gisborne on 09 October 1943. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2503	5218	TBF-1	Bu24335	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Gisborne during October 1943. Placed in long term storage after war. Removed from storage in March 1949 and allocated to the Research and Development Flight for topdressing trials. Positioned from Masterton to Whenuapai on 23 May 1949 at end of trials. To No.42 Squadron, Ohakea on 17 November 1949 for drogue towing. Crashed in Waitemata Harbour near Hobsonville on 15 March 1956 after engine failure. The aircraft was recovered but was later broken up and was written off the books at Hobsonville on 17 August 1956.
NZ2504	5219	TBF-1	Bu24336	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Guisborne on 12 October 1943. To No.31 Squadron. Placed in long term storage after war. Removed from long term storage in June 1948 and flew again on 28 July of that year with the General Purpose Flight, Ohakea for use in topdressing trials. Positioned from Masterton to Whenuapai on 23 May 1949 at end of trials. To No.42 Squadron, Ohakea on 17 November 1949 for drogue towing. Final flight with RNZAF was made from Ohakea to Hamilton on 30 June 1959. Converted to instructional airframe INST182 on 10 July 1959 for use as gate guardian at RNZAF Base, Te Rapa. Remained painted as NZ2504 and never wore the INST serial. Recovered for RNZAF Museum in 1978 and now displayed as NZ2521 in No.31 Squadron wartime colour scheme.
NZ2505	5220	TBF-1	Bu24337	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Gisborne prior to 09 October 1943, being their first Avenger. To No.31 Squadron. To No.42 Squadron. One of the last 3 Avengers on strength with the RNZAF. Sold by GSB tender number SR228/59 dated 23 September 1959 to Bennett Aviation, Te Kuiti. To children's playground at Opunake Beach by 1970. Removed from the park in 1972 for restoration by a group of private individuals. Later to the RNZAF Museum who were originally going to trade it to the Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum. Loaned to the Gisborne Aviation and Preservation Society in 1999 for restoration and display in Gisborne. Presently displayed at the museum in Gisborne.
NZ2506	5222	TBF-1	Bu24339	Built as TBF-1, classed as TBF-1C by USN, but were sufficiently different for RNZAF not to use them on operations. Arrived in New Zealand on "William Keith". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville and BOC 21 September 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Delivered to No.30 Squadron, Gosborne on 20 October 1943. Placed in long term storage after war. Removed from storage in April 1949 and allocated to the Research and Development Flight for topdressing trials. Crashed on takeoff from Hood Aerodrome, Masterton on 03 May 1949, the first sortie of the trial. Written off books at Ohakea on 17 October 1949.
NZ2507	5342	TBF-1C	Bu24459	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Hit by flak over Vunakanau at 1035 hours on 26 April 1944. The aircraft entered a spin and crashed onto the end of the runway. Flying Officer Ronald Gardner, Pilot Officer Christopher Nicholls and Pilot Officer Harold Sheather killed. Written off books at Bougainville.
NZ2508	5343	TBF-1C	Bu24460	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2509	5344	TBF-1C	Bu24461	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne and named "GRUMPY". Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2510	5345	TBF-1C	Bu24462	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Coded "J". Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Badly damaged by enemy gunfire during an operation on 26 March 1944 and made an emergency landing at Green Island where it remained until repaired. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2511	5346	TBF-1C	Bu24463	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Badly damaged by enemy gufire during an operation on 25 April 1944 and made an emergency landing at Green Island where it remained until repaired. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2512	5347	TBF-1C	Bu24464	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. To No.31 Squadron. Crashed near Tobera Airfield on 01 July 1944. The aircraft was hit by flak during a bombing run and spun into the ground. Flight Sergeant Rex Mathieson and Flight Sergeant Albert Walker killed, but Flight Sergeant M. Aitcheson was able to parachute to safety and was rescued 4 days later. Written off books at Bougainville.
NZ2513	5348	TBF-1C	Bu24465	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Fitted with tank in bomb bay for spraying diesel oil on Japanese vegetable gardens. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2514	5349	TBF-1C	Bu24466	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2515	5350	TBF-1C	Bu24467	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Crashed at Bougainville on 22 February 1944. The aircraft developed an uncontrollable swing to port on landing and ended up in a ditch. Flight Lieutenant Max Stubbs and crew were unhurt but the aircraft was written off and broken up for parts.
NZ2516	5352	TBF-1C	Bu24469	Arrived in New Zealand on "Dalfonn". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 25 October 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Crashed at Gisborne on 21 December 1943. The aircraft suffered an engine failure on final approach to land and landed in a swamp. Half an hour after the accident a fire broke out and the aircraft was destroyed. Written off books at Gisborne.
NZ2517	5497	TBF-1C	Bu47731	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne and named "SOPHISTICATED LADY." Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2518	5499	TBF-1C	Bu47733	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No. 30 Squadron, Gisborne and named "PLONKY." Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. To No.31 Squadron. Hit by flak near Rapopo Airfield, New Britain at about 1045 hours on 05 June 1944. The aircraft caught fire and dived into the ground, the remains not being discovered until some years later. Flight Lieutenant Charles Prior, Flying Officer Sydney Clayton and Warrant Officer Theo Scarlett killed. Written off books at Bougainville. Some wreckage from the original NZ2518 was brought home to New Zealand for preservation. Bu.91110 ZK-TBM now flies in the colours of NZ2518. The Story of NZ2581 "Plonky"
NZ2519	5502	TBF-1C	Bu47736	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2520	5506	TBF-1C	Bu47740	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 28 October 1944.
NZ2521	5574	TBF-1C	Bu47808	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. To No.31 Squadron. Crashed near Rabaul after being hit by flak during a bombing run at about 1100 hours on 31 May 1944. Sergeant William Trolove, Flight Sergeant Malcolm Harsant and Flight Sergeant Frank Brown killed. Written off books at Bougainville.
NZ2522	5616	TBF-1C	Bu47850	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. To No.31 Squadron. Fitted with tank in bomb bay for spraying diesel oil on Japanese gardens. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2523	5621	TBF-1C	Bu47855	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2524	5623	TBF-1C	Bu47857	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2525	5624	TBF-1C	Bu47858	Arrived in New Zealand on "Schenectedy". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 15 December 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on 24 January 1944. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2526	5496	TBF-1C	Bu47730	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2527	5625	TBF-1C	Bu47859	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To Nausori in 1944 for use by the Communications Flight. To No.42 Squadron, Ohakea for target towing. One of the last 3 Avengers on strength with the RNZAF. Sold by GSB tender number SR228/59 dated 23 September 1959 to Bennett Aviation, Te Kuiti. To Barr Brothers, Ardmore and entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-CBO in 1959. It was intended to convert the aircraft to a topdresser but in the end the conversion did not go ahead and the aircraft was towed by road from Ardmore to Rotorua on 26 October 1964. It was then installed in a children's playground in Kuirau Park still painted as NZ2527. Recovered to MOTAT and spent some years on display outside the Confederate Air Force Headquarters at Dairy Flat Airfield. Now in storage at MOTAT awaiting restoration to static display.
NZ2528	5579	TBF-1C	Bu47813	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2529	5498	TBF-1C	Bu47732	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2530	5490	TBF-1C	Bu47724	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron by 26 April 1944. To No.31 Squadron. Presumed to have been hit by flak during a bombing run at Vunakanau at 0950 hours on 28 May 1944. The aircraft crashed shortly after completing it's bomb run. Flight Lieutenant Melvin Greenslade, Lieutenant John Morrison and Flight Sergeant William McCloud killed. Written off books at Bougainville.
NZ2531	5495	TBF-1C	Bu47729	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2532	5617	TBF-1C	Bu47851	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2533	5492	TBF-1C	Bu47726	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.31 Squadron, Gisborne. Crashed at Ohakea on 07 December 1944 after an engine failure on a test flight. Written off books at Ohakea on 15 January 1945.
NZ2534	5493	TBF-1C	Bu47727	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2535	5580	TBF-1C	Bu47814	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2536	5619	TBF-1C	Bu47853	Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2537	5622	TBF-1C	Bu47856	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2538	5627	TBF-1C	Bu47861	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2539	5782	TBF-1C	Bu48016	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To Nausori in 1944 for use by the Communications Flight, returning to New Zealand in January 1945. One of the last 3 Avengers on strength with the RNZAF. Sold by GSB tender number SR228/59 dated 23 September 1959 to Bennett Aviation, Te Kuiti. To children's playground at Havelock North on 24 August 1965. Recovered and now believed to be in storage with Ken Jacobs in Auckland.
NZ2540	5783	TBF-1C	Bu48017	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron by 26 April 1944. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 21 October 1944.
NZ2541	5787	TBF-1C	Bu48021	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Ferried from Gisborne to Espiritu Santos and held in reserve pool until 23 March 1944. Hit by flak during bombing raid at Lakunai on 10 May 1944. The aircraft lost height and then nosed over and dived into the sea about half a mile off the coast. Flying Officer Alan Bailey, Flight Sergeant Louis Schlesinger and Warrant Officer Reginald Curtiss killed. Written off books at Bougainville.
NZ2542	5789	TBF-1C	Bu48023	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.30 Squadron, Gisborne. Ferried from Gisborne to Espiritu Santos and held in reserve pool until 10 April 1944. Sold from Rukuhia by GSB tender number 1705 dated 02 March 1948 to J. Larsen and scrapped at Rukuhia.
NZ2543	5790	TBF-1C	Bu48024	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2544	5786	TBF-1C	Bu48020	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.31 Squadron. Damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire during an operation on 28 May 1944 and written off at Bougainville as a result of the damage sustained.
NZ2545	5821	TBF-1C	Bu48055	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2546	5826	TBF-1C	Bu48060	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Returned to US Navy at Espiritu Santo on 30 October 1944.
NZ2547	5843	TBF-1C	Bu48077	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Issued to British Fleet Air Arm at Hobsonville on 07 September 1945.
NZ2548	5847	TBF-1C	Bu48081	Arrived in New Zealand on "Peter White". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 12 February 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To No.31 Squadron, Gisborne. Landed in sea after engine failure during operational training flight on 15 March 1944. Written off at Gisborne.

Grumman Avenger
NZ25xx
RNZAF Photo Sub Lieutenant (A) K F B Petrie, RNZNVR, of Christchurch, New Zealand, climbing into his new American built Grumman Avenger three seater torpedo bomber with its wings folded prior to taking off on exercise at HMS SPARROWHAWK, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft.
.© IWM (A 19925)

Author: Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan)

Sources: AHSNZ publications 1959-1999. RNZAF records. NZ Wings April 1987. "For Your Tomorrow" by Errol Martyn. "We Also Served" by Wally Ingham. "The Avengers" by Wally Ingham. Air Britain Historians. GAPS website, http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz ,

Emails: Les Billcliff, Dave Homewood, Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan,

Updated 17 December 2013

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