De Havilland Venom & Sea Venom
by David Watkins
Category: History

The de Havilland Venom carried out more operational ground attack sorties than any other RAF aircraft since the Second World War, seeing service as an RAF fighter-bomber between 1952 and 1962. Successor to the Vampire, the Venom was also produced in a two-seat night fighter version, which was developed into the Sea Venom for the Royal Navy. With the co-operation and assistance of many former Service and civilian pilots, the record can finally be set straight in what is the definitive history of this ground-attack, all weather and naval strike fighter. The problems of the trials and development program are discussed, followed by a detailed look at the aircraft's operational service with foreign air forces. The book's tour de force is the comprehensive account of Venom operations during the Suez campaign, the 'Firedog' operations in Malaya, and the protracted anti-terrorist offensive in Aden and Oman. These chapters throw new light on the conflicts and have been compiled from interviews, private papers, and personal accounts. Of particular interest is new information relating to the Sea Venom's career with the Fleet Air Arm. A final chapter covers the use of Venoms as private 'Warbirds' in the UK, New Zealand and the USA.