The Heinkel He 219 Uhu was one of the most advanced night fighters to see service during the Second World War, incorporating a number of innovations well ahead of its time. Designed specifically for the interception of Allied bombers under cover of darkness, the He 219 featured multiple radar array configurations, heavy forward firepower, and a purpose-built airframe optimized for night operations.
Among its most notable features were upward-firing cannons for oblique attacks, the first steerable nose wheel fitted to an operational German aircraft, and the world’s first operational use of ejection seats. Armament on the A-7 variant was formidable, consisting of two MG 151/20 cannons mounted in a detachable ventral tray, two additional MG 151/20 cannons in the wing roots, and two 30mm MK 108 cannons mounted in the upper fuselage at an angle for attacks from below.
Powered by two Daimler-Benz V-12 engines producing approximately 1,776 horsepower each, the He 219 had a top speed of around 420 mph at 23,000 feet. With a crew of two and a heavy weapons load, the Uhu represented the pinnacle of German piston-engine night fighter design, combining advanced technology with lethal effectiveness during the final years of the war.
Beautifully crafted Germans owned the nights with these. Paint scheme is spot on too!
ReplyDeleteNicely done model. The camo is so
ReplyDeleteWell-done and that canopy looks as
Clear and professional as they come!