Difference beetween TBF and TBM Avenger?

Question

I know one had a bigger opening in front of the engine, but which one was it? Which version was more powerful?

One more thing, what's this tube thing on the instrument panel above the heading?
http://uscockpits.com/Early%20Attack/TBF-1%20Avenger.jpg

Answer 1

I recall that the TBM Avenger was built by General Motors, hence the "M" designation, as opposed to the home Grumman factory, which designed the aircraft. That's really the only major distinction.

Now as the war went on, pretty soon GM took over all of the Avenger production, by late 1943 Grumman stopped producing them - probably in order to allocate more production to other aircraft such as the F6F Hellcat.

Naturally, there are changes and improvements to an aircraft model as it goes through production and its customer requests additional improvements. But basically the distinction of M vs F is that GM produced the M.

Answer 2

The only difference between the TBF and TBM was that they were built at different aircraft plants. Grumman was busy with production of its monoplane fighters, and so General Motors took the initiative of building the TBF as the TBM.

Answer 3

The f and m are the companies that made the avenger F=Grumman and M=general motors. The tube thing is a sight used to line up your target and know when your in range to drop your torpedo it was also used as a sight in dive bombing attacks when the capability was discovered later in the war.

Answer 4

TBM is the manufacturer designation given to Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber, specifically, those airframes produced by General Motors.

Answer 5

Silverkris has it correct. As to the second question, the tube is the pilot's sight for aliging his torpedo run.

Answer 6

All the above have the basic right answer. he tube thing you see, I believe, is a dive bomb site

Answer 7

I could be wrong,One was made by General Motors,the other Grumman.Go to(you'll like this)www.airwarriors.com and start athread.