Details: Join us as we dedicate our Grumman Avenger on the completion of its restoration to flying condition.
The museum's Avenger, a TBM-3E built in 1945 by General Motors, flew with the US Navy until the early 1950s. After its military career, it was converted to a fire bomber with the installation of chemical tanks in the bomb bay. It fought fires in California from 1963 to 1972. In 1976, it was purchased by Forest Protection Ltd in New Brunswick who used the chemical tanks for budworm spraying. It retired from commercial service in 1992 and was purchased by a French aircraft preservation group in 2000. However, the aircraft remained in Canada in storage and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum acquired the Avenger with the help of a generous donor in 2009.
The Avenger has been restored as #86180 of the Royal Canadian Navy in an anti-submarine configuration that flew with 880 and 881 Squadrons. They operated from the shore and aboard the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent.
After the dedication, the Avenger will be moved outside for a flight, weather permitting.