de Havilland Venom (1952 - 1962)

Venom NF3 WX786 of A&AEE making a very low pass

The DH.112 Venom was designed as a natural successor to the Vampire to specification F.15/49. It was generally similar in layout but the wing was re-designed with thinner section and straight trailing edge and new tanks were fitted to the wing tips. The engine was the Ghost, first fitted to the development Vampire FB Mk 8 TG278, which served as the development aircraft first flying on 8 May 1947. The Venom served extensively in Germany, the Middle and Far East.

FB Mark 1 The prototype, VV612, first flew on 2 September 1949. Performance was much improved over the Vampire due to the engine/wing combination. Armament was four 20mm guns (150 rounds each) with provision for 2,000lb of bombs or eight RPs; as in the Vampire no ejection seat was fitted. Service entry was with 11 Sqn in Germany in August 1952.
Service Fighter/close support 5, 6, 8, 11,14, 16, 28, 32, 45, 60, 73, 94, 98, 118, 145, 249, 266 Communications 147, 187 Other AFDS; CFE; CFS; CGS; RAE

F Mk 1 WE277 of 11 Sqn

NF Mark 2 The night fighter variant was built with side by side seating for pilot and navigator and equipped with AI Mark 10 radar. The prototype (G-5-3/WP227) flew on 22 August 1950 only a year after the Vampire NF Mk 10 which it superseded.
Service Night fighter 23, 33, 219, 253 Training 141 Other CFE; RRE

NF Mk 2 WL830 of 23 Sqn

NF Mark 2A Many NF Mk 2 aircraft were converted to Mk 2A standard to counter stability problems. The fin and rudder shape was changed and the dorsal fillet of the Vampire T Mk 11 was added; in addition a clear-view canopy was incorporated.
Service Night fighter 33, 219, 253

NF Mk 2A WR798/C of 253 Sqn showing the later hood and fin

NF Mark 3 The Mark 3 was an upgraded night fighter equipped with powered ailerons, ejection seats and a more bulbous nose to accommodate the American AI Mk 21 (APS-57) radar. Power was provided by the slightly more powerful Ghost 104 and the tailplane extension beyond the fin and rudders was deleted.
Service Night fighter 23, 89, 125, 141, 151 Communications 173; Coltishall, Stradishall SF Other CFE; RAE; RRE

WZ319/S of 89 Sqn at Horsham St Faith September 1957

FB Mark 4 The mark 4 was an improved single seat fighter similar to the FB Mk 1 but with the Ghost 104, powered ailerons, ejection seat and revised fin and rudder. The FB Mk 4 entered service with 123 Wing, Wunstorf, in July 1955.
Service Fighter/close support 5, 6, 8, 11, 28, 60, 73, 94, 142, 208, 249, 266 Other FWS

FB Mk 4 WR413 which served with 6 Sqn

Specification and production

Notes

* Most NF2 were converted but no record of exact numbers

Further reading

Birtles, P J de Havilland Vampire, Venom and Sea Vixen Ian Allan, Shepperton, 1988

Lindsay, R de Havilland Venom Lindsay, Stockton on Tees, 1974

Watkins, D de Havilland Vampire: The Complete History 1996