Warbird Information Exchange

I used to ground crew on this very TBM-3R when it was operated on the British airshow circuit in the 1990s. Originally registered as N3966A, it later became G-BTDP and was owned and operated by Tony Haig-Thomas at North Weald. It now resides in Switzerland.

From what I have heard in the past, she was one of the original firebomber conversions and wasn't used as such and as a result was stored for years before being restored to flying condition. In the Mike Jerram authored 'Warbirds' book, published by Osprey there is a photo of this airframe sitting somewhere admist a lot of weeds and debris.

I for one would like to learn more about this particular Avenger. Looking at another thread here today on the carrier Coral Sea, there is a 1956 photo of a TBM-3R landing aboard sporting the code '319' on the nose, could this be that very aeroplane?

Best wishes to all,

Martin

edit: just realised this is my first post to the exchange!

I was up at Aero Union a few years ago trading out a flap for the Grumman Guardian at the Arizona Wing of the CAF and I took a bunch of pics and recognized the derelict C-54 in the background. Jim Babcock gave me the deluxe tour of the place including the Guardian that the new owners were trying to sell. If I had the money, I would have bought it. I'm a sucker for aircraft that are not "Glamour" aircraft. Everyone loves a P-51 or Corsair but I would really love to restore a Guardian to flying condition. I guessed 1975 because very few of the birds in your pics were still there . By the way. is the last Guardian still up there?

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.

I certainly have no idea -- I moved far away from California in the early 90s and Chico is not one of those places one goes very far out of one's way for, even for Grumman Guardians.

And Martin -- glad you enjoyed the photos of the TBM. Sorry I don't know any more about it. I'm afraid I'm just a photographer who likes interesting looking birds. I depend on WIX when I need information, just like everyone else here...

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---