The Grumman Avenger prototype first flew on 1 August 1941, leading to a production of 9839 Avengers in several models. Avengers become the standard US Navy torpedo bomber during most of World War II, operating from aircraft carriers and shore bases, mostly in the Pacific theatre.

Avengers were the largest single piston engined aircraft to be placed in production. Features included a 3-man crew, rearward folding wings, arrestor hook and enclosed torpedo/bomb bay. The Royal Navy also operated Avenger aircraft as part of the British Pacific Fleet.

Of particular significance is Gisborne's own 30 and 31 Squadrons and Servicing Unit. Both squadrons were formed in Gisborne to train on the new Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers for operations in the South Pacific islands. These squadrons went on to serve with distinction on Guadacanal, New Georgia Island, Bougainville and Rabaul during 1944.

Due to Gisborne's strategic importance, coastal patrols were carried out every day for enemy shipping. Gisborne's sector was from East Cape to Cape Kidnappers and 500 miles out to sea. The RNZAF's only New Zealand wartime Avenger base was Gisborne. For 50 years an annual reunion of 30 Squadron personnel was held each Queen's Birthday weekend in Gisborne. Due to advancing years these formal reunions have been replaced with informal gatherings since 1987.

In 1996, GAPS was successful in preventing the RNZAF Museum from trading Avenger NZ2505 to the Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra, on the basis of Gisborne being the logical "Home" for this historic aircraft, and GAPS having wide community support for the return of this icon. This bought us time to build our museum hangar and show GAPS determination to be an aviation museum and thus has allowed us to become the custodians of NZ2505 for future generations to see.

A picture of NZ2505

Constructor's No. 5220 was built as a TBF-1C powered by a Wright Double Cyclone R-2600-8 radial 14 cylinder piston engine of 1600 HP. She was allocated United States Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics Number 24337. She was delivered to New Zealand on board the freighter "USS William Keith" in September 1943.

Originally the RNZAF was allocated 63 Grumman Avengers but only 48 were delivered. NZ2505 was the first Avenger flown by the RNZAF and was used by 30 and 31 Squadrons during 1943 and 1944 for training in Gisborne. From mid-1944 she was modified to take a drogue winch for air to air gunnery practice. In this role she served with Central Fighter Establishment and 41 Squadron until retirement in the mid-1950's.

She was sold to Bennet Aviation of Te Kuiti on 7 March 1960 and later to Opunake Borough Council as a playground attraction.

She was subsequently sold to private owners Ross Mcpherson and John Regan circa 1972, who towed her to Paraparaumu and carried out restoration work before being moved in 1976 to Silverstream Railway and Vintage Transport Society in the Hutt valley for display. Bought by the RNZAF Museum in 1985 and shipped to Lyttleton on HMS Waikato, then by road to Wigram Christchurch, she has been in covered storage since.

NZ2505 is one of only 3 viable Avengers in New Zealand. The others, NZ2527 and NZ2504, are on display in Auckland and Christchurch respectively. The Alpine Fighter Collections TBM-3E Avenger has been sold and is now based in Toowoomba, Australia.

Since 1995, GAPS has purchased and received donations of several components to assist in the restoration of this aircraft to static display standard. These components have come from as far afield as Auckland and Blenhiem. Support has also come from the Mayor of Gisborne, RSA, Air Force Association, and ATC with members of 30 Squadron Association providing the most enthusiastic support.

Having reached agreement with the RNZAF Museum for NZ2505 to be returned to Gisborne, we returned her "home" 56 years after her first arrival in Gisborne in October 1943. GAPS aimed to have her reassembled and on display for the year 2000 celebrations.

Pictures from the moving of NZ2505 to Gisborne
Click on a picture to see it full size

Shipping from Lyttleton was arranged by Doug Smith of Transport Logistics FREE OF CHARGE on Neptune Shipping. This was greatly appreciated. Approximately $7,000 is still required to cover trucking and insurance costs. Several funding applications are currently being worked on.