[conservatism_IS_compassion]

That looks more like an Avenger

Yup, that's a Turkey alright.

Agree. That is a TBF-Avenger.

How embarassing - I barely glanced at the photo scanning thru, and didn't take note of the distinctive (and, to Grumman retirees such as me, famous) wing fold mechanism design of Leroy Grumman. And the two-place canopy marks it as a bomber - thus, an Avenger, the only WWII Grumman bomber design I can call to mind (apart from a dive bomber design which was not selected for production by the Navy).

I am however aware of no way to tell from a photo whether a particular Avenger is a TBF ("TB" standing for torpedo bomber, and "F" standing for "manufactured by Grumman") as opposed to a TBM (same Grumman design, but manufactured by General Motors Corp). A large number Avengers - and Wildcats as well - were in fact manufactured by GM. Only Grumman, however, produced F6Fs.

[tanknetter]

I am however aware of no way to tell from a photo whether a particular Avenger is a TBF ("TB" standing for torpedo bomber, and "F" standing for "manufactured by Grumman") as opposed to a TBM (same Grumman design, but manufactured by General Motors Corp). A large number Avengers - and Wildcats as well - were in fact manufactured by GM. Only Grumman, however, produced F6Fs.

Later TBMs (TBM-3s) had an additional air scoop on the bottom of the cowl for the oil cooler, the result of putting the R-2600-20 into the airframe. Also additional cowl flaps. So if you see a scoop on the bottom of the cowl, you'll know it's an Eastern bird. TBM-1s, however, are indistinguishable from their Grumman cousins (unless you breakout a list of the Bu nums).

The FM series of Wildcat had some recognizable differences, mainly with the taller tail on the -2 series. Subtle cowl differences aw well, iirc.

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

You guys seem to know your WWII aircraft, so maybe one of you can help with something that has me puzzled.

My father served in WWII as part of Air Group Fifteen (AG-15) on the USS Essex. AG-15 (the “Fabled Fifteen”), commanded by David McCampbell the US Navy’s all-time leading ace, participated in many major Pacific battles including the “Marianas Turkey Shoot”.

My father wasn't a pilot, but still flew over 50 times. His Flight Book shows he flew in a SB2C, SB2C-1C, SB2C-3, SB2C-4, SB2C-4E, SB2C-5, SBW-4E and a TBM-3E.

My puzzle is with a great picture I have of my father with his squadron in front of a plane. Based on its air intake and wings, the plane appears to be an SB2C-Helldiver. I've wanted to get a model of this plane, but every model I find on-line shows four propellers. The plane in the picture only has three propellers.

Do I have the wrong plane?