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de Havilland DH.112 Sea Venom

De Havilland DH. 112 History of Sea Poison

As de Havilland Venom is already being designed for the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Royal Navy's Fleet Aviation (FAA) is interested in a navalized version of the multi-role turbojet twin-armed fighter deck as an all-weather interceptor/combat bomber. Especially Venom NF.

Venom's dedicated two-seater night fighter form, the Mk 2, was selected for conversion. Changes to the original design included reinforced landing gear, undertail snap hooks for carrier landings and powered folding wings for carrier storage. The final design was developed for its maiden flight on April 19, 1951, and three prototypes were eventually built. Carrier trials took place in 1952, and the model entered service in 1956 as the de Havilland Sea Venom. The original production model was identified as FAW.

The Mk 20 is equipped with a 4,850 pound thrust Ghost 103 series turbojet and an American SCR 720 radar (as the AI ??Mk 10). Standard armament is 4 x Hispano Mk. V cannons, supporting 2 x 1,000 pound throwing bombs or 8 x 60 pound RP-3 rockets, without underwing guidance.

After FAW. Mk 20 is FAW. Mk 21, allowing the use of the de Havilland Ghost 104 turbojet with 4,950 pounds of thrust. The radar became the American APS-57 (as the AI ??Mk 21), and the landing gear was further strengthened to accommodate the rigors of carrier operations.

These airframes are primarily based on the Venom NF. Mk 3 night fighter variant and about 167 final deliveries. Of these, six were eventually transformed into electronic countermeasures platforms (ECMs), named after ECMs. The Mk 21 also lacked the weapons of its fighter-bomber brethren.

Next is the improved FAW. The Mk 22 is powered by a more powerful De Havilland Ghost 105 turbojet with 5,300 pounds of thrust. Thirty-nine aircraft were produced in this form. FAW. The Mk 22 has a top speed of 575 mph, a range of up to 700 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 39,500 feet.

The climb rate of the aircraft is 5,750 feet per minute. Here, an ECM variant was also extracted from the existing FAW. Mk 22 bearings, these are designated ECM. MK22.

The Royal Australian Navy Fleet Aviation (RANFAA) has arranged for three squadrons to deploy Sea Venom Squadrons - 724, 805 and 808 - which serve under the local designation FAW. Mk 21 out of 39 examples.

Operational Services

RAF Sea Venom was used in combat operations during the 1956 Suez Crisis when Egypt attempted to nationalize the world-important Suez Canal. Britain was assisted by France and Israel in her Sea Venom project, which was launched by HMS Albion and HMS Eagle. Sea Venom carried out various bombing raids on targets of opportunity in Egypt.

Subsequently, during the Cyprus Contingency Operation in 1958, further operations cheered the model and continued to serve faithfully until its use as a front-line aircraft was deemed to have come to an end.

All sea venoms were eventually phased out in 1970, replaced by more modern types created by the explosion of technology during the Cold War. The Sea Venom was replaced by another de Havilland offering - the famous twin-engine, two-seat "Sea Fox" (detailed elsewhere on this site), which incorporated swept wings and carried over on the jet The de Havilland double boom tradition.

French Navy Sea Poison - Aquilon

Apart from the UK and Australia, the only other sea venoms are in service with the French Navy and these are examples of licensed production by the SNCASE Group (Sud-Est) under the local name "Aquilon". Aquilon procured three different models, the initial model being the Aquilon 20, numbered 29. The Aquilon 202 was a two-seater model with the American-made AN/APQ-65 radar, of which 50 were eventually used.

The Aquilon 203 is a single-seat Sea Venom with an AN/APQ-94 radar and air-to-air missiles (AAM). The production of the brand is 40 units. The Aquilon 201 was a one-off prototype, six Aquilon 20s were converted into Aquilon 204 two-seater trainers (without cannon armament).

The 11F and 16F Naval Squadrons deployed Aquilons.

DH. 116 Sea Poison

In a very short time, Sea Venom has the potential to see its eventual evolution as the proposed DH. 116. Existing aircraft will receive upgraded radar systems with greater capabilities and swept wings. Little progress was made on the project, and the Royal Navy's interest eventually turned to the aforementioned "sea fox."