In the final months of WWII, U.S. TBM-3W Avengers were paired with TBM-3S Avengers to form hunter-killer groups and were very successful in the anti-submarine role (ASW). Updated versions continued this role into the nuclear anti-sub role in U.S. service. Japan also flew Avenger hunter-killer teams after that in the 1950s and 1960s.

Thanks. I’ve never seen a photo of these pairs of Avengers operating hence my initial question.

Rob

Wyv-F, the Skyraider ,and before that the Avenger could operate as ` pairs,one with radar ,other with torps/depth charges.

Yep i understand that sycamore, but did a ‘could operate together’ manifest itself into a ‘did operate together’ as pairs in service?

I have seen many service photos of Guardians flying together as a hunter / killer combo – but not pairs of Gannets, Avengers, Skyraiders etc.

Rob

FAA database suggests BuNo 123088 (reg# N3143G) is still owned by Airstation, Inc. Perhaps you’ve heard something that would suggest otherwise?

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=3143G

Don’t know her airworthiness status. Pics from 2010:

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=5829

My question was more about its airworthy status, or not as the case seems to be, and not about ownership.
Though i’m sure i remembered a privately owned example on the airshow circuit some years ago.

I would suspect that the realistic chances of seeing a Guardian in the air once again died along with Jimmy Leeward 🙁

He had N9995Z at his airfield in Florida, with the intention of restoring it to fly.

Thanks. Lets hope someone else shares Jimmy’s apparent enthusiasm for the type in getting one flying.

As a separate question was the Guardian perhaps unique in having two separate aircraft flying together but fulfilling one role as a Sub hunter / killer combo?

Rob