Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Bombardier's Emergency Firing Key for the WWII U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. This allowed the bombardier to release the plane's bomb load if the pilot could not do so through his controls. Also if the bomber was trying to "Pickle" the torpedo into the ship, the pilot would possibly find it difficult to both fly the plane and drop the payload.

The pilot had a very similar control, except that it was mounted on a stick. The bombardier version has a black bakelite pistol-style grip, approx. 5" long, fitted with a red bakelite trigger, a fabric wrist strap and a 37" long black rubberized cord. The wrist strap would keep the control close at hand in case it was needed.

The grip bears the manufacturing code NAF 1174-1 on the left-hand side. The cord has the correct two pin connector on the end. One of the two screws on top of the handle is missing, so the top lid and its pieces are a bit loose. This could be fixed with a replacement screw.

A great example, ready to add to your WWII Bomber Collection!

The Grumman Avenger Torpedo Bomber:
The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) is an American torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.

The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective and widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II. Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.