DH Sea Venom FAW.22 (XG680)
NAHR category - Significant
Aircraft History
The Sea Venom was the Royal Navy version of the Venom NF.2 two-seat night-fighter. The necessary modifications for use on the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers included folding wings, a tailhook and strengthened undercarriage. The first prototype made its first flight in 1951, and began carrier trials that same year.
The FAW.22 version was the final variant for the Royal Navy and was powered by the de Havilland Ghost 105 engine. Thirty-nine of this type were built in 1957/58. Some were later fitted out with the de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missile.
XG680 History
XG680 first flew on 6th June 1957 as a FAW.21 variant and served with the research and development unit at Stretton from October 1956 until February 1957 at which time it moved to Airworks at St. Davids in preparation for handover to the Royal Navy for active service. The aircraft spent a further six days at Stretton in April to have modifications made and then on 29th May 1957 the aircraft was released from Airwork on a temporary loan to the station flight at RNAS Yeovilton. On 6th August 1957 the aircraft was ferried to Belfast and onwards to Abbotsinch for service checks then placed into storage. The aircraft was delivered back to Belfast on 23rd July 1959 for conversion to FAW.22 standard. The work was completed by February 1960 and the aircraft joined 891 Squadron at Yeovilton. XG680 continued to fly until December 1966 recording 999 hours when it was retired. On 2nd October 1969 the instruction was given to reduce the aircraft to spares. The hulk of the aircraft was retained on the Shorts Brothers site at Belfast Harbour Airport encased in a protective film and when discovered by the museum was next in line to be used for fire practice by the airport fire section. Shorts Brothers kindly donated the aircraft to the museum and in 1981 it moved via ferry and road to NEAM.
XG680 in storage in hangar 2 Oct-07 (not open to the public)
