"Doris Mae" commemorates Marine Torpedo Bomber Squadron 143 (VMTB-143), who were known as "The Rocket Raiders," and served aboard the escort carrier USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107).  The Capital Wing’s TBM is our signature aircraft, and because of her speed and range, extends our reach beyond the mid-Atlantic region, which allows us to share our mission of education across the Atlantic states, and beyond.At all our events, we share the history of this aircraft and its mission, including the experiences of President George H.W. Bush, who flew Avengers in the Pacific during WWII.

Our TBM, “Doris Mae,” needs a paint refresh to bring her back to the way she looked in 1945.Over the years, maintenance tasks have resulted in a number of repairs that included some repainting, that has left our aircraft looking less than desired for our mission of educating the public.  Additionally, we recently self-funded an unexpected carburetor overhaul that cost more than $5,000, which has depleted our reserve.

The task of repainting the TBM has become an even higher priority to the Capital Wing, due to the recent identification of our "L-5" Sentinel which we now know is in fact, a U.S. Marine Corps OY-1 with documented combat history.  When our OY-1 "F4U Pocket Edition" transited the Pacific enroute to the Mariannas Islands and the Battle of Saipan aboard the escort carrier CVE-66 "White Plains," she did so along side TMB and TBF Avengers.  Repainting our TBM allows us to accurately reflect how our Avenger looked in 1945.