Engineering:Heinkel He 219 Uhu

Short description: German night fighter of World War II

He 219 Uhu
General information
Type	Night fighter
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Heinkel
Management and usage	Luftwaffe Czechoslovak Air Force
Number built	268
History
Manufactured	1941–1944
Introduction date	1943
First flight	6 November 1942
Developed into	Hütter Hü 211

The Heinkel He 219 Uhu ("Eagle-Owl") is a night fighter designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Heinkel. It primarily served with the Luftwaffe in the later stages of the Second World War.

Work on the He 219 began in mid 1940 as a multi-purpose aircraft designated P.1055. It was a relatively sophisticated design that possessed a variety of innovations, including a pressurized cockpit, twin ejection seats and remotely controlled defensive gun turrets. The P.1055 was initially rejected by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM – the German Aviation Ministry), but Heinkel promptly reconfigured it as a night fighter, designated P.1060. In this capacity, it was equipped with a Lichtenstein SN-2 advanced VHF-band intercept radar (also used on the Ju 88G and Bf 110G night fighters). The He 219 was also the first operational military aircraft to be equipped with ejection seats and the first operational German aircraft to be equipped with tricycle landing gear. The prototype performed its maiden flight on 6 November 1942.

Both the development and production of the He 219 were protracted due to various factors, including political rivalries between Josef Kammhuber, commander of the German night fighter forces, Ernst Heinkel, the manufacturer and Erhard Milch, responsible for aircraft construction in the RLM. Other aircraft programmes, such as the Junkers Ju 188, Dornier Do 335 and Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito, competed for attention and resources; Milch advocated for these programmes over the He 219. Furthermore, the aircraft was relatively complicated and expensive to build, as were the powerful DB 610 V-12 inline engines that powered it. Nevertheless, the He 219 made its combat debut on June 1943 and was quickly recognised for its value as a night fighter, even being allegedly effective against the Royal Air Force's de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers.

In addition to its limited use as a night fighter, Heinkel worked on numerous different models of the He 219, including as a reconnaissance-bomber, high-altitude interceptor, and more advanced fighter. On 25 May 1944, production of the He 219 was officially terminated. Had the He 219 ever become available to the Luftwaffe in large quantities, it is plausible that it could have had a significant effect against the strategic night bombing offensive conducted against Germany by the Royal Air Force (RAF); however, only 268 aircraft across all models were ever completed and thus the type only saw limited service between 1943 and 1945. Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow was the leading night fighter ace on the He 219, having been credited with 33 of his 34 night air victories on the type.

Design and development

Background

During the summer of 1940, Robert Lusser returned to Heinkel from Messerschmitt and immediately began work on a new high-speed bomber project designated P.1055. This was a shoulder-wing cantilever monoplane; the tailplane, which had considerable dihedral, had twin fins and rudders. The glazed canopy of the cockpit was faired into the nose of the aircraft and provided excellent external visibility for its two occupants, who were seated in an atypical back-to-back configuration. Many parts of the airframe, including its single-spar wing, rectangular-section fuselage and tail surfaces, were made of metal and had a stressed-skin covering.

The P.1055 was originally intended to be a multi-purpose aircraft, and was a relatively advanced design for the era, with a pressurized cockpit, twin ejection seats (the first to be planned for use in any combat aircraft), tricycle landing gear and remotely controlled, side-mounted FDSL 131 defensive gun turrets. Power was to be provided by a pair of DB 610 "power system" engines producing (2,950 PS/2,910 hp) each, delivering a performance with a top speed of approximately 750 km/h (470 mph) and a 4,000 km (2,500 mi) range with a 2,000 kg (4,410 lb) bomb load.

Prototypes

During early January 1943, a series of competitive trials were flown between the second prototype of the He 219 and the Junkers Ju 188; these were inconclusive. One problem was that the He 219 possessed less stability than desired; to overcome this, Heinkel offered a cash prize to engineers to develop corrective measures. In March 1943, a more comprehensive series of tests were conducted in which the He 219 proved to be superior to both the Ju 188 and the Dornier Do 217. The same month, the He 219 programme was dealt a major blow when Heinkel's works at Rostock were struck by an RAF bombing raid which, amongst other things, destroyed three-quarters of the drawings; soon afterwards, the design office was transferred to Vienna.

The earlier prototypes, with four-blade propellers had blunt, compound-curvature noses, as used for production-series aircraft. The early examples of these had cutouts for the forward-projecting masts of the Matratze radar antennae of at least the first five prototypes, used with the early UHF-band Lichtenstein B/C or C-1 radar installation. These early He 219V-series prototypes also had cockpit canopies that did not smoothly taper on their upper surface, as on the later production aircraft, but instead ended in a nearly hemispherical enclosure. In December 1943, Milch pushed for the He 219 programme to be cancelled in favour of the Junkers Ju 88G on the basis that the performance of the Ju 88G was sufficient to handle Allied bombers and that increasing production of the He 219 would disrupt manufacturing efforts. Milch also proposed that the Dornier Do 335 be favoured over the He 219. Milch repeatedly sought to have the programme cancelled; these efforts reportedly led to Kammhuber being removed from office. On 25 May 1944, production of the He 219 was officially ended after Milch persuaded RLM officials to redirect resources to the Junkers Ju 388 and Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito programmes. Despite the programme being officially terminated, Heinkel continued low-rate production of the He 219.

Operational history

The He 219 had an auspicious combat debut. On the night of 11–12 June 1943, Werner Streib flew the V9 and shot down five bombers between 01:05 and 02:22 hours, before crashing on landing. Claims have been made that, "In the next ten days the three Heinkel He 219A-0 pre-production aircraft [shot] down a total of 20 RAF aircraft, including six of the previously "untouchable" de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers. Greatly encouraged, Kammhuber continued to press for immediate production." No record of corresponding Mosquito losses or any documentary evidence exists that He 219 pilots claimed six Mosquitos. In the opinion of the accomplished test pilot Capt. Eric Brown - who flew several He 219 A-2s after the conflict - the He 219 was "decidedly underpowered" (his italics) and the "rate of climb was certainly unimpressive" and found it to be "short on performance to deal with the Mosquito".

A production He 219A with Hirschgeweih VHF radar antennas

The He 219 was a capable fighter aircraft and the pilots were free to hunt down any detected Allied bombers. Typically, ground control would dispatch aircraft into the right area, at which point the pilots took over and guided themselves towards the bombers using information from their onboard Lichtenstein VHF radar. The SN-2 radar's 4 km (3 mi) maximum detection range was greater than the distance between the bombers. While the performance of the A-2 was not extraordinary—approximately 580 km/h (360 mph) speed—it was enough of an advance over the Messerschmitt Bf 110Gs and Dornier Do 217Ns for the crew to chase several bombers in a single sortie. The He 219 was typically well received by personnel; ground crews benefited from its high level of accessibility for maintenance work. Furthermore, the inclusion of an ejector seat was credited with saving the lives of numerous air crew. Pilots also favoured its weapons placement.

Captured He 219 in British markings in 1945. The aircraft is missing its cockpit canopy

In order to improve its ability to intercept the Mosquito, one model of the He 219 was intentionally stripped to minimise its weight. Following the removal of some armaments and radio apparatus, the aircraft was able to attain a speed of 650 km/h (404 mph); this version was given the designation A-6. None of these were produced, but similar weight saving measures could be undertaken at the unit level. The He 219 was the only piston-engined night fighter capable of combat with the Mosquito on equal terms, given its speed, manoeuvrability and firepower, however, it was never able to play a significant role in the conflict because Germany's industrial base failing to produce it in sufficient numbers.

Further developments

The troublesome Jumo 222 multibank engine, meant for the He 219B and -C subtypes

Variants

He 219 A-0

Initially used for pre-production aircraft but became first major production version with 1,750 PS DB 603A engines, 104 built as of 30 November 1944,

He 219 A-1

Proposed reconnaissance-bomber aircraft; project abandoned

He 219 A-2

Similar to A-0 but extended engine nacelles with additional fuel tanks, 1,670 PS DB 603AA engines, 85 built as of 30 November 1944

He 219 A-5

Planned three-seat night fighter, only some prototypes known to have been built from A-2 airframes

He 219 A-6

Planned Mosquito-hunter, stripped-down version of the He 219 A-2, armed with four 20 mm MG 151/20s

He 219 A-7

Improved night fighter version, powered by two 1,800 PS DB 603E engines, 210 ordered as of 30 November 1944

He 219 D-1

He 219 A-7 airframes adapted for Jumo 213E engines, five known to be delivered in 1945

He 319

An unbuilt multi-role aircraft project entirely unrelated to the He 219; only having the number sequence in common

He 419

Various derived projects culminating in He 419 B-1/R1, six of which were flown; use of the He 319 tail, very long-span wing of 59 square metres (635 sq ft), two 20 mm MG 151/20 in the wings and four 30 mm MK 108 in ventral housing. Speed of 679 km/h (422 mph) to 13,600 m (44,600 ft).

Letov LB-79

Two He 219s built from recovered components in Czechoslovakia during 1950, with one being used as a jet engine test-bed.

Operators

Czechoslovakia

• Czechoslovak Air Force (Postwar)

Germany

• Luftwaffe

Surviving aircraft

Heinkel He 219 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. 22 May 2021

When the war had ended in Europe, the U.S. Army Air Forces Intelligence Service, as part of "Operation LUSTY" (Luftwaffe Secret Technology), took control of three He 219s at the Grove base of the 1st Night Fighter Wing (Nachtjagdgeschwader 1) in Jutland, Denmark starting on 16 June 1945. These aircraft were made flight-worthy by "Watson's Whizzers" and flown to Cherbourg, France. He 219 A-2 Werknummer 290202 was shipped to the United States with 21 other captured German aircraft on board the British escort carrier , and was reassembled at Newark Army Air Field, Newark, New Jersey. By August 2014, the wing structure (without control surfaces fitted) had been essentially restored, and was ready for the trip to the NASM's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center shops within its integral Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, to join the fuselage and engine nacelles there, with replacement Hirschgeweih VHF-band radar antenna components to be fabricated, based on a preserved example located in Europe and loaned to the NASM for replication, as part of the ongoing restoration process. The repainted wings were displayed during the 30 January 2016 open house in the restoration hangar paint shack.

He 219 A-2 Werknummer 290202 is currently restored and on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center by Dulles Airport. Previously only the fuselage, empennage, and engines were on display, while the wings were stored at the Paul Garber Facility in Silver Hill, Maryland. As of 2021 the restored and assembled aircraft, including its wings, nacelles (possibly as Heinkel-designed specific, Kraftei unitized powerplant installations), and partially restored DB 603 engines (missing propellers) can be seen displayed next the museum's Arado Ar 234 and Dornier Do 335, the only surviving examples of those aircraft, both of which accompanied WkNr. 290202 across the Atlantic over 60 years ago.

In April 2012, a previously unknown He 219 was salvaged from the sea bed, 100 meters from the beach, north of Hirtshals, Denmark. The remains are in several pieces, but will undergo restoration and eventually be displayed at Aalborg, Denmark. Although severely damaged and missing many parts, the remains of this aircraft was preserved and then put on display at the Forsvars- og Garnisonsmuseum in Aalborg, Denmark. In August 2015 it was announced that the wreckage had been sold to an Austrian enthusiast for further restoration.

Specifications (He 219 A-7)

3-view drawing of Heinkel He 219A-7/R1

Data from German aircraft of the Second World War, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.2 – Flugzeugtypen Erla-Heinkel

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 15.33 m (50 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 18.5 m (60 ft 8 in)
• Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 44.5 m² (479 sq ft)
• Airfoil: root: He 2 37 16.8–0.715–36.6; tip: He 2 37 12-0.715–36.6
• Empty weight: 11,200 kg (24,692 lb)
• Gross weight: 15,300 kg (33,731 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603E V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines, 1,324 kW (1,776 hp) each
• Propellers: 3-bladed VDM constant-speed propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 670 km/h (420 mph, 360 kn) at 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
• Cruise speed: 540 km/h (340 mph, 290 kn)
• Range: 1,545 km (960 mi, 834 nmi)
• Ferry range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,700 m (41,700 ft) (absolute)

Armament

• Guns: ** 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) MG 151/20 cannon in a detachable fairing under the fuselage, 300 rpg
  • 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) MG 151/20 cannon in wing roots, 300 rpg
  • 2 × 30 mm (1.181 in) MK 108 cannon, Schräge Musik (oriented 65° above horizontal), 100 rpg

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Bristol Beaufighter Mk I/Mk VI
• Caproni Ca.331
• de Havilland Mosquito
• Focke-Wulf Ta 154
• Junkers Ju 88C/G/R
• Kawasaki Ki-45 KAId
• Mitsubishi Ki-46 III-KAI
• Messerschmitt Bf 110F-4/G-4
• Nakajima J1N
• Northrop P-61 Black Widow
• Petlyakov Pe-3

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of Germany
• List of aircraft of World War II

References

Bibliography

• Boyne, Walter J. (1994) (in en). Clash of Wings. New York, US: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-83915-6. 
• Bowman, Martin (2016) (in en). German Night Fighters Versus Bomber Command 1943–1945. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-4979-2. 
• Brown, Eric (2017) (in en). Wings of the Luftwaffe. Crecy. ISBN 9-781902-109152. 
• Chorley, W.R. (1997) (in en). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 5, 1944: Amendments and Additions. London, UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-904597-91-2. 
• Chorley, W.R. (2004) (in en). Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 6, 1945: Amendments and additions. London, UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-904597-92-9. 
• Franks, Norman L.R. (2000) (in en). Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War: Volume 3. Operational Losses: Aircraft and Crews 1944–1945 (Incorporating Air Defence Great Britain and 2nd TAF): 1944–1945. Hersham, Surrey, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-093-7. 
• Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (September–December 1989). "Heinkel's Nocturnal Predator... The He 219" (in en). Air Enthusiast (Bromley, Kent: Tri-Service Press) (40): 8–19, 70–72. 
• Greenhous, Brereton (1994) (in en). The Crucible of War: 1939–1945. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-0574-8. 
• Griehl, Manfred; Dressel, Joachim (1998) (in en). Heinkel He 177 – 277 – 274. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-364-0. 
• LePage, Jean-Denis G.G. (2009) (in en). Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945: An Illustrated Guide. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5280-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=hdQBTcscxyQC&pg=PA243. 
• Mondey, David (2006) (in en). The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. London, UK: Bounty Books. ISBN 0-7537-1460-4. 
• Smith, John Richard; Kay, Antony L. (1972) (in en). German Aircraft of the Second World War. London, UK: Putnam. ISBN 978-0-370-00024-4. 
• Smith, John Richard; Kay, Anthony L. (1990) (in en). German aircraft of the Second World War (9th impression ed.). London, UK: Putnam. ISBN 0851778364. 
• Smith, John Richard; Kay, Anthony L. (2002) (in en). German Aircraft of the Second World War: Including Helicopters and Missiles. Putnam's History of Aircraft. London, UK: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-920-4. 
• Wagner, Ray; Nowarra, Heinz (1971) (in en). German Combat Planes. New York, US: Doubleday. 

Further reading

• Berliner, Don (2011) (in en). Surviving Fighter Aircraft of World War Two: Fighters. London, UK: Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 978-1-8488-4265-6. 
• Bridgeman, Leonard (1946). Leonard Bridgeman. ed (in en). Heinkel He 219. Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London, UK: Studio. ISBN 1-85170-493-0. 
• Green, William (1970) (in en). Warplanes of the Third Reich (First edition, fourth impression 1979 ed.). London, UK: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd.. ISBN 0-356-02382-6. 
• Munson, Kenneth (1978) (in en). German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorset, UK: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0860-3. 
• Nowarra, Heinz J. (1989) (in en). Heinkel He 219 "Uhu". Atglen, Pennsylvania, US: Schiffer Publishing Inc.. ISBN 0-88740-188-0. 
• Remp, Roland (2007) (in en). Heinkel He 219: An Illustrated History of Germany's Premier Nightfighter. Atglen, Pennsylvania, US: Schiffer Publishing Inc.. ISBN 978-0-7643-1229-8. 

External links

• "Tour the Last Remaining Heinkel He 219": Heinkel 219 A-0, FE 614, before its completed fuselage restoration to display condition-article's date is 1997
• He 219A-0 Pilot's Manual – in German
• Photopage of the recovered He 219A in Denmark
• The Smithsonian's "A Rare Restoration Project" Video of their He 219A-2's wing structure evaluation
• Photo-montage of the Smithsonian's He 219A 290 202, with many detail shots, including the Kraftei-unitized DB 603 engines