World War II Warbird Rides Offered in TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber

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SANFORD, N.C. – The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a nonprofit organization based in Culpeper, Virginia, will offer warbird rides in a World War II TBM Avenger torpedo bomber at Raleigh Exec for one day only on Wednesday, April 16.

The TBM Avenger, according to Capital Wing Warbird Rides Coordinator Pete Ballard, is the largest and heaviest single-engine bomber of World War II. It is powered by a 14-cylinder radial engine producing 1,900 horsepower and features a unique wing-folding mechanism.

“A warbird ride is an experience like no other and for most people it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Ballard. “Every seat is a window seat and there’s no baggage to get lost. Where else can you fly in an aircraft that was involved in virtually every combat mission in the Pacific?”

Warbird rides in the TBM Avenger may be booked in advance at capitalwingwarbirdrides.org and any flight not sold in advance will be sold on Wednesday at the airport. Raleigh Exec is located at 700 Rod Sullivan Road near Sanford and is a short drive from Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro and Fayetteville.

Ballard said the mission at Capital Wing is to keep World War II warbirds flying and honor the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and flew the vintage aircraft.

“Although we are based in Culpeper, Virginia, we take our warbirds on the road, so as many people as possible can see and hear what World War II military aviation was like 80 years ago — as well as offer the opportunity to take warbird rides,” he said.

For those living closer to the North Carolina coast, Capital Wing will offer rides in the TBM Avenger at Cape Fear Regional Jetport at Oak Island on Monday and Tuesday, April 14 and 15. Cape Fear Regional is convenient to both Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

For more information, contact Capital Wing at Ca**************@***il.com or capitalwingcaf.org.

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Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will offer warbird rides in a World War II TBM Avenger next month at Raleigh Exec. (Photo courtesy of Capital Wing CAF)