DH Venom NF.51 in Swedish service

The Venom Night Fighter was developed as a private venture project from the ordinary Venom and flew first in 1950. The RAF was interested and ordered them as Venom NF 2. Problems with directional stability resulted in the fin tops beeing cut off and longer dorsal fins fitted as well as the ailerons modified. Some had already been built to NF 2 standard, so after these modifications the designations became NF 2a and delayed deliveries to the RAF until Nov 1953.

By this time the Swedish air force had already operated the DH 112 Venom NF 51 since Dec 1952. 60 were ordered and the last was delivered in 1954. All were fitted with Swedish built DH Ghosts with Swedish designation RM2A, which was the same as fitted to Saab 29 Tunnan and gave a thrust of 2270 kp. Swedish designation was J 33.

As the deliveries were urgent, the first 30 NF 51s were identical to the NF 2, apart from some Swedish equipment, and had because of that flying restrictions. Modification to NF 2a standard started in 1953. The second batch of 30 was almost to NF 2a standard, and were given the same radar as the first and like them a new clamshell canopy to facilitate emergency escapes. No ejection seats were fitted.

By 1960 they had been replaced by Saab J 32B as night fighters and were taken out of air force service. Four were taken over by a private contractor who provides target towing and aggressor services to the defence forces, where the last was retired in 1971.

In 1953 there were plans to use one Venom as a high altitude ELINT aircraft to complement the DC-3 and later Varsity. None could be spared from the night fighter role and no extra example was purchased.

The Venoms were painted in RAF WW2 night fighter colours, medium grey all over with oversides grey and green.

Crew               2
Span              13 m
Length            10 m
Wing area         26 m^2
Take off weight 6670 kg
Climb             31 m/s
Max speed       1000 km/h
Max range       1600 km
Max altitude   13500 m
Armament        4 x 20 mm Hispano

Document created 1994 Jul 24, last updated 2003 June 21 by Urban Fredriksson

The Swedish military aviation page

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