Heinkel He 219 Uhu
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1942 · fighter
The Heinkel He 219 Uhu (Eagle Owl) was a highly capable German twin-engine night fighter that proved among the most effective aircraft of its type in World War II, featuring advanced electronics, ejection seats, and exceptional performance. Political opposition within the Luftwaffe leadership limited its production numbers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.33 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German twin-engine night fighter with radar arrays on nose
- First German aircraft with ejection seats
- Distinctive tricycle undercarriage unusual for Luftwaffe
Identified by its twin Daimler-Benz liquid-cooled engines, the prominent nose-mounted radar dipole arrays, a tricycle undercarriage (unusual for contemporary Luftwaffe aircraft), and a high T-configuration that gives it an aggressive appearance.
Specifications
- The Heinkel He 219 Uhu has a length of 15.33 m (50 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.5 m (61 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 670 km/h (416 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1942, the He 219 entered service in 1943 and immediately proved its worth, with Major Werner Streib destroying five de Havilland Mosquitos in a single sortie on its first operational night. Despite its clear superiority over contemporaries, bureaucratic opposition from Erhard Milch suppressed production in favour of modified conventional types.
Variants
Numerous sub-variants (He 219A-0 through A-7) differing in armament, engine type, and radar equipment; a He 219B with increased range was projected but not completed.
Where you'll see it
Served with Nachtjagdgeschwader units in Germany and occupied Europe from 1943 to 1945; all examples captured or destroyed at war's end.
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