How many airworthy Venoms?

I thought you might like to see this air-to-air close up of Dan Griffith in a Venom which I took en route to Cambridge a few years ago.

Tim

I wasn’t aware of the RAN example in the USA, looks rather nice, too!

There should be two in the USA

WZ903 (N4-903) and WZ944 (N4-944)

No to all of those – well, I guess they are relatively costly to maintain against their cash value, which is low.

If you are keeping the aircraft in flying trim, the wooden pod should not be an issue.

Bruce

Any particular reason for this sadly dwindled number? Are Venoms difficult to fly, overly costly to maintain, difficult to find spare parts for, difficult to keep in flying condition (wooden “pod”?)??

… HB-RVA moved to New Zealand last year.

That’s my subject aircraft!

Talking with the owner this morning he counts four as well, so four it shall be. It certainly is a shame there aren’t many around as there’s something about the single-seater DH jets. I wasn’t aware of the RAN example in the USA, looks rather nice, too!

…….and with no offence to our Kiwi friends intended, but haven’t they tended to be rather careless with them in the past?

Don’t remind me – I only ever got to see that one fast taxi!

That makes it just one technically airworthy then – in New Zealand!

…….and with no offence to our Kiwi friends intended, but haven’t they tended to be rather careless with them in the past?

Thanks for that ! Here is a link to the group and it gives us a better chance to see the machine flying being so much closer now!

http://www.geneseewarbirds.org/

As for the Vampire -it didn’t appear to have any logs so that could be problematical to a new owner!

I believe the Sea Venom was recently auctioned in the U.S after the death of her owner.

I think the aircraft was sold before the owner died as it apparently went to the Genesso Warbirds.

It was not on the auction list for the sale on the 17th August http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_files/7/9/6/5/7/2/796572-StarmanMerleMaine.pdf

There was a Vampire T.35 in the auction

Vampire T.35 N11924 / A79-618 Merle Maine, Ontario Municipal Airport, Oregon (private

I believe the Sea Venom was recently auctioned in the U.S after the death of her owner.

Such a shame, to think early to mid 90’s all the Vampires & Venoms that were flying.
Source was doing so well on that front, was it 9 flyers at 1 point?

Thanks Mike – That makes it just one technically airworthy then – in New Zealand!

I think we can forgive the one week permit expiry (for now), but yes it is certainly a type heading for obscurity. Shame.

According to G-INFO, one of the Classic Air Force examples has been out of Permit for over a year, the Permit on the other one expired last week.

Another type which is in imminent danger of quietly fading into obscurity, sadly, along with the single-seater Vampires. Who would have thought it, when all those ex-Swiss examples were registered to civilian owners back in the 80s. 🙁

Yes, I think you are right, and HB-RVA moved to New Zealand last year.

I think the last one flying in Switzerland was HB-RVC which is currently not flying.

Just gone through my list of survivors, which is a bit out of date, but four looks like the maximum there can be, and I’m not even sure if there is one in Switzerland at the moment!

Bruce

Yes, it hasn’t flown for a while, and is currently available for sale. Be a nice addition to the UK circuit – best looking of all the twin booms IMHO!

I’m only counting four airworthy Venoms at present, but stand to be corrected:

Two in the UK, with Classic Flight

One in Switzerland

One in New Zealand

Are there any in the USA at the moment?

Bruce

Although i’ve not heard of it being active recently, there’s the ex RAN Sea Venom in the US.

Rob

That sounds about right – there arent many for sure – and all ex Swiss.

Hmm, there may not even be that many on reflection..

Let me have a think!

Bruce