Question - ordinance TBM-3

You're quite welcome. I love Victory At Sea also. Lots of good references in there if you know where to look. Lots of poor footage choices as well, and some obvious studio stuff... but I do love the music. 

Im looking forward to your TBM build now.

Stik,

Thanks again!

I have the whole set of Victory at Sea. It was one of my favorite programs when I was a kid. I just didn't think to view it for this information.

Since I also have an aftermarket KMC resin torpedo, maybe I'll have the bomb bay doors open with the Mk13 inside. Lots of choices.

I'm very grateful for your swift response to my query.

Found one of in process... although it is on a land base and not at sea. It's at China Lake, the Navy weapons research facility, so it may be while they were creating procedures

I know this one is an F4U, but it shows the concept...

Yes, arming for Avengers would be bombs rockets or torpedoes. And done while the wings are folded. An educated guess says that the wings would not be folded out until there is hydraulic pressure from the engine running. I can attach a Victory at Sea clip for you to see some of the process. Weapons are brought to the aircraft on carts from the front. If the engine is running, there is a huge chance for things to go terribly wrong with the  ordies and spinning propellers. Not to mention the deck space aspect as well. The TBM takes up a LOT of room with wings out.

Starting at 6:15 on this clip you'll see the Avengers being armed up... rockets are seen being wheeled to them

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zM5EFG8Vo9Y

Thanks Stik.

So, even though the Avengers in the photos you so kindly posted don't show that they were armed with rockets - at least that I can discern - TBM's that would have been armed with rockets would have had them attached before the wings were unfolded. At least that's what I believe you mean.

So, in my current project not sure if I will put rockets on the wings or not. I suppose I could drill out the holes in the resin wings for them but I'll probably leave them off.

Thanks again.

The aircraft were usually armed well before engines were started. In the case of TBMs and other types, the wings were folded. Engines were started once they were fueled and armed and the time for launch was near, and wings were still folded. Wings were not spread out until they taxied up to the launch position.