One of those airframes that lasted well beyond WWII was the Grumman Avenger. Though not used as a torpedo bomber, it was successfully adapted to another role in anti-submarine warfare. Basically, there would be a two plane team consisting of an APS-20 radar equipped 'hunter' and an ordnance equipped 'killer'. In this way, once the submarine was found by the hunter aircraft, the 'killer' variant would take over and use depth bombs to destroy the enemy submarine.

This combination was successfully deployed on the aircraft carriers of Great Britain, France, United States, and Netherlands, while the Japanese operated them from shore stations.

Most of the aircraft used by these countries were seconded from the United States Navy as they switched from the Avenger team to the more potent Guardian team and then to the all in one airframe Tracker. It meant that these planes were not accepted into Dutch Naval service until 1953 and didn't deploy until the next year.

The aircraft gave faithful service until 1960 in the home waters and 1961 overseas in Curacao. Those airframes lost in accidents were augmented by British aircraft when the Royal Navy switched over to the Gannet for their carrier-borne ASW work.

This book tells the full story of the Avenger in Dutch service. It is crammed full of superb photographs, several in full color, and includes some detail images as well. To add to it, the center section of the book as well as the inner and outer covers have excellent color profiles.

The book is in both Dutch and English, though it is set up a bit differently from other dual language books by having all the Dutch section first, followed half way through the book by the English. This is an excellent book for both historian, modeler, and Avenger enthusiast. A number of superbly drawn color profiles and three views are presented on the covers and in a color center section.

There are decals related to this book for the modelers in the crowd, though none were included for review. Overall, an excellent book on an equally interesting aircraft and one that I can highly recommend to those interested.

Review book courtesy of www.dutchprofile.nl  where you can get your copy today.

April  2008

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