CAG-17 VT-17 Torpedo Squadron Seventeen

The Grumman TBM-3E Avenger was the torpedo bomber used by CAG-17 VT-17 aboard the USS Hornet during 1944 and 1945.

The USS Hornet (CV-12) is now a floating museum at NAS Alameda, California. Their tribute to the WWII years includes a restored Grumman TBM-3E Avenger with VT-17 markings.

TBM-3E Specifications

• Length – 40 feet
• Height – 16 feet 5 inches
• Wingspan – 54 feet
• Weight (empty) – 10,843 lbs.
• Weight (maximum) – 18,250 lbs.
• Engine – Wright/Cyclone R-2600-20, 14 cylinders, 1900 horsepower
• Range – 1920 miles without armament, 1130 miles with armament
• Speed – 267 MPH
• Ceiling – 23000 feet
• Armament – (torpedo/under-carriage) Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 or 2000 lbs. explosives
• Armament – (defensive) Wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns (2), turrent-mounted .50 caliber machine gun, tail-mounted .30 caliber machine gun.
• Crew – 3

VT-17 TBM aircraft were the first to strike the Battleship Yamato on 7 April 1945.

Below are a series of photographs of the USS Hornet and VT-17 aircraft during 1944-1945.

USS Hornet CAG-17 VT-17 images from www.navsource.org