de Havilland Venom
The de Havilland Venom was a British single-seat jet-powered fighter-bomber that evolved from the earlier de Havilland Vampire, entering service with the RAF in 1952. Distinguished by its distinctive twin-boom design and Ghost turbojet engine, the Venom offered significant improvements over its predecessor, including a thinner wing, more powerful engine, and enhanced weapons capability. The aircraft proved particularly effective in the ground attack role, serving with distinction during the Malayan Emergency and the Suez Crisis, where its combination of maneuverability and weapons load made it well-suited for close air support missions. The Venom's night fighter variant, the Sea Venom, became the Fleet Air Arm's first all-weather jet fighter, featuring radar equipment and serving aboard British aircraft carriers. Despite being overshadowed by later fighters like the Hunter, the Venom proved to be a capable and reliable aircraft that served with several air forces, including Switzerland, which operated the type until 1983.
