Air Power The Cold War

Designed in 1949 as the successor to the Vampire, the Venom's more powerful Ghost engine and its stronger airframe made for a much more effective aircraft. Early models were marred by a poor roll-rate and lack of ejection seat, but the later FB.4 addressed these problems and 150 were supplied to the RAF to supplement their original 373 FB.1's. 250 FB.50's were built under licence in Switzerland, which was the last country to operate the type.