Heinkel 219 Series
“The Uhu”

 

The Heinkel He 219 was the first pure nightfighter deployed in World War Two.  The history of the plane is varied and complete with the usual developmental pains associated with any new design plus political intrigue that delayed the use of this plane and seriously limited the number actually built.

There are numerous resources available for the interested flier with the following being what I used to develop this model.

Remp, Roland:  “Heinkel HE 219: An illustrated history of Germany’s premier nigh fighter”  by Schiffer Books

Dressel, Jachim and Griehl, Manfred: “HE 219 UHU” one of Schiffer Book’s Luftwaffe profile Series No 3

Brown, Eric: “Wings of the Luftwaffe” Airlife

Several internet sites (just search) but special help from:

http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/index.htm

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forums/

http://disc.server.com/Indices/169401.html

This was a pure team effort without whom this project would have never seen the light of day.

John Whelan aka Bravo4 for his great textures
Mathias P. for his use of the 3d gauges and inspiration
Alx for the use of his radio textures
Greg Pierson with the flight models and damage profiles

There are five models that are represented in the series we have created.  The A0 planes are all with the revised canopy.  The planes are:

1. Ernst Wilhelm Modrow’s A0_M1 code G9+FK,
2. Wilhelm Morlock’s A0_M2 code G9+HL,
3. A0_M3 code G9+HK,
4. A2_M3 code G9+QK the model at the Steven F. Ud-var-Hazy Center, and an
5. A7 code 1L+S2. 

 

The M notation signifies a Rüstsätze or Armament Equipment set.  See each planes description for the set.

Some comments on the planes:

Ernst Wilhelm Modrow was the highest scoring Uhu ace with approximately 22 victories to his credit.  He finished the war with 33 victories with the other 11 coming from flying various planes, a usual event for many pilots.  Wilhelm Morlock was selected since he appears to have scored the highest number of victories in one night 6 plus 1 unconfirmed on 03/11/44.  John Whelan selected the G9+HK for its camouflage pattern which is very interesting.  Obviously no collection of Uhus would be complete without representing the lone surviving 219 in existence.  The 1LS2 was taken from a picture or a wrecked He 219 toward the end of the war.

Some facts on the planes

The A0 are all R6 variants equipped with FuG 220 and FuG 212 radar which had a serious impact on the speed of the planes.  The radar antenna created so much drag that the planes lost 30-40 kph.  The A2 is an R2/M3 model that had a 900 liter external fuel tank.  Despite the plans each of these planes was equipped with DB 603A or DB603AA engines since the planned power plants usually were either not developed or were allocated to other planes.

Cockpit gauges:

I tried to model the gauges as accurately as I could.  There are some improvements that could be made and suggestions are welcome.  Some interesting features:

Coolant lights – at 130 degree Celsius the lights come on
Pitch lights – props feathered light appear
Front gear gauge- upper right side
Gear and Flap gauge 12 lights indicating gear and flap positions
Starter switches: far right and down
Canopy – open it and watch (look left)
Ejection – canopy blows off and pilot is ejected
Ailerons are linked to the flaps for more lift (cool to watch) and ailerons remain operational
Cowl flaps work
Prop pitch switch (lower left just below 12 lamp gauge) these move when you manually alter the prop pitch

Key strokes:

Shift+B = raises the metal shield on the A0 models
Eye point = four clicks to move it to the right, and three click up will center the sight.  The A2 model with Schrage music two or three click to the right will do.
Flying the plane:

 

Take off:

Elevator trim:    neutral
Engine speed:               2700 rpm
Boost:                          1.42 ata (wep)
Flaps:                           Start Position
Unstick:                        170 kph
Cowl Flaps:                  Open
Retract landing gear immediately and leave flaps lowered until altitude reaches 500 meters and speed is above 220 kph.  Close Cowl Flaps.

Climb
Engine speed:               2500 rpm
Boost:                          1.3 ata

Maximum Continuous:

Engine speed:               2300 rpm
Boost:                          1.2 ata

Economical Cruise:

Engine Speed:               2000 rpm
Boost:                          1.05 ata

Landing:
Cowl Flaps:                  Open at 300 kph
Flaps:                           Start
Gear:                            Lowered at 270 kph
Full Flaps at:                 225 kph
Touch down:                160 kph

 

Have fun and all comments are welcomed at:

 

theodroe@bellsouth.net

  Pauke Pauke!