Western Museum of Flight in Torrence CA

On Saturday May 5th we had a wonderful day at Zamperini Field (Torrence Airport) parked at the Western Museum of Flight.  Several folks turned out for a lecture and walk around of the TBM Avenger. Thanks go out to to Cindy Macha, Museum Director, for hosting the event.  Also special thanks to Bruce Guberman, Rod Losey and the rest of the team at the museum to help get us situated and then see us off on Sunday.

Below are some pictures.

This video below was shot and produced by Bruce Guberman of a detailed walk-around:

(Note: We departed the next morning to begin the journey home to Illinois / Wisconsin.  The next POST will include all the published and further details and images of the engine failure, bail out and wilderness walk out).

Cindy Macha and Ron Carlson

Location of the port wing .50 caliber machine gun.  Note access doors to the far right for ammunition belt storage.
The belts would feed across inside the wing to feed the machine guns.
The red vertical bar you see just above the machine gun is the wing flap indicator
(Fully exposed as is means "flaps full up".  This an absolutely critical checklist item before folding the wings.

Holding a picture of his father from WW2, same view from the side of the wing.

Detailed walk around of the TBM, video by Bruce Guberman

Parked on the ramp adjacent The Western Museum of Flight at Zamperini Field in Torrence CA

Pat Macha in the rear turret gunner position.
Note the control trigger grip and just above, the illuminated gun sight with solar shade.
(The emergency access panel is removed).  Pat fit in quite naturally.  That is some great happy smile!