EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Grumman Iron Works

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The warbird community thankfully still has a variety of Grumman aircraft available for the enjoyment of current and future generations.  Grumman naval combat aircraft were on the front lines of the World War II Pacific Theater, prosecuting the war on the Japanese Empire.   Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, of Bethpage, NY, earned the nickname "Grumman Iron Works" from Vice Admiral John S. McCain in 1942 in tribute to the ability of Grumman aircraft to return from battle after absorbing tremendous damage.  Two types of Grumman aircraft, produced under contract by the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors, are featured here from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: FM-2 Wildcat and  TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber.    

Grumman/General Motors FM-2 Wildcats - one of which was recovered from Lake Michigan in 2012.  Two paddlewheel steamers were converted to training carriers - USS Wolverine and USS Sable - and used to train naval aviators.  More than 250 aircraft were lost in Lake Michigan, including the one featured here on the trailer. 

General Motors TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber displayed in Atlantic (gray) and Pacific Ocean (blue) paint schemes.  Grumman produced about 2300 TBF Avengers before turning over production to General Motors, who manufactured another 7500 as the TBM series.