The Heinkel He 219 Uhu

The Uhu (english: Owl) is considered to be the finest night-fighter of Germany of World War 2. In 1940 Heinkel made a proposal to the german government for a twin-engine heavy fighter that could be adopted for torpedo bombing and/or for medium bomber duties. At first the government declined, insensitive to the excellent proposal, but had to change it's mind when the night bombing campaign of the RAF started picking up speed and accuracy. The result was that Heinkel was asked to redesign it's heavy fighter for a dedicated night-fighter type. Because the plans were already in an advanced stage, Heinkel could start building a prototype almost immediately, but ironically enough was set back considerably when an RAF bombing raid destroyed most of the completed drawings.
Even so, the work continued, and a heavy warplane with a fully retractable tricycle landing gear emerged. It had a fully glazed cockpit for two crewmembers, each seated on an ejector seat that operated on compressed air. These ejector seat were the first in service in the world. The powerplants were inverted-Vee's, but had an anular radiator in front of them giving a 'Radial-engine' look.

Versions:

• Heinkel He 219A-7/R1 Uhu
• Other Heinkel He 219 Uhu versions

Further pictures:

A Heinkel He 219A night-fighter, showing it's radar antennae


Another Heinkel He 219A nightfighter, showing some very clean lines

Technical data on the Heinkel He 219A-7/R1 Uhu

Powerplant	2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603G inverted-Vee, rated at 1900 hp (1416.43 kW) each		Role during war	Night-Fighter
Length	50 ft 11.75 inch		Height	13 ft 5.5 inch
Empty weight	24692 lb		Operational weight	33730 lb max
Wing Span	60 ft 8.33 inch		Wing Aspect ratio	7.96
Wing Area	478.99 sq ft		Service ceiling	41665 ft
Maximum speed	416 mph at 22965 ft		Cruising speed	391 mph at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate	1,810 ft per min		Range	960 miles typical, 1243 miles max
Fuel capacity internal	594 Imp gal (713 US gal)		Fuel capacity external	-
Machine guns	-		Cannons	2 × 30 mm MK 108 fixed forward-firing in the wing roots, 100 rounds each 2 × 30 mm MK 103 fixed forward-firing in the ventral tray, 100 rounds each 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 fixed forward-firing in the ventral tray, 300 rounds each 2 × 30 mm MK 108 fixed forward- and upward-firing in rear fuselage in a Shräge Musik installation, 100 rounds each
Bomb load	-		Torpedoes/rockets	-
Crew	2: pilot, radar operator		Naval or ground based	Ground
First flight (prototype)	15 November 1942		Operational Service	late 1943 - 1945
Manufacturer	Ernst Heinkel A.G.		Number produced	288 total, unknown number this version

Metric system

Length	15.54 m		Height	4.1 m
Empty weight	11200 kg		Operational weight	15300 kg max
Wing Span	18.5 m		Wing Aspect ratio	7.96
Wing Area	44.5 m²		Service ceiling	12699 m
Maximum speed	669 km/h at 7000 m		Cruising speed	629 km/h at optimum altitude
Initial climb rate	552 m per min		Range	1545 km typical, 2000 km max
Fuel capacity internal	2.700 liters		Fuel capacity external	-
Machine guns	-		Cannons	2 × 30 mm MK 108 fixed forward-firing in the wing roots, 100 rounds each 2 × 30 mm MK 103 fixed forward-firing in the ventral tray, 100 rounds each 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 fixed forward-firing in the ventral tray, 300 rounds each 2 × 30 mm MK 108 fixed forward- and upward-firing in rear fuselage in a Shräge Musik installation, 100 rounds each
Bomb load	-		Torpedoes/rockets	-

Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:

Remarks:

The Uhu had exceptional capabilities, and was an outstanding night fighter. Strangely enough, the German government ordered only a small number, probably because of political reasons. Even though the Heinkel company was not liked by the German leadership and orders were minimal, Heinkel decided to build on contradicting government orders.
In Venlo, The Netherlands, the first unit was formed: I/NJG 1. It was a Heinkel He 219A-0/R2 that in the night of 11/12 June 1943 scored it's first kill. Actually, it scored 5 kills against British bombers in a timespan of 30 minutes! During the first 6 sorties of He 219A-0's 20 British bombers were claimed, including 6 De Havilland Mosquitoes.

Strengths:

• Very good handling
• Excellent performance
• Excellent armament

Weaknesses:

• An unbelievable antipathy from the German government. As if they could afford to be picky…

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