View source for Heinkel He 219 Uhu

{{Short description|German night fighter of World War II}}
{{distinguish|Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= He 219 ''Uhu''
 |image= Heinkel 219 2012.jpg
 |image_border= yes
 |image_caption= 
 |aircraft_type= [[Night fighter]]
 |national_origin= Germany
 |manufacturer= [[Heinkel]]
 |designer= <!-- Only appropriate for one-person designers, not project leaders or chief designers -->
 |first_flight= 6 November 1942
 |introduction= 1943
 |retired=
 |status= Retired
 |primary_user= ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
 |more_users= [[Czechoslovak Air Force]]
 |produced= 1941–1944
 |number_built= 268<ref name="Smith & Kay p304">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 304.</ref><ref name = "lepage 228">Lepage 2009, p. 228.</ref>
 |developed_from=
 |variants= 
 |developed_into= [[Hütter Hü 211]]
}}

The '''Heinkel He 219 ''Uhu''''' ("[[Eurasian Eagle Owl|Eagle-Owl]]") is a [[night fighter]] designed and produced by the [[Nazi Germany|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 [[Cabin pressurization|pressurized]] [[cockpit]], twin [[ejection seat]]s and remotely controlled defensive [[Aircraft gun turret|gun turret]]s. The P.1055 was initially rejected by the ''[[Ministry of Aviation (Germany)|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 radar#FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2|Lichtenstein SN-2]] advanced VHF-band intercept radar (also used on the [[Junkers Ju 88|Ju 88]]G and [[Messerschmitt Bf 110|Bf 110]]G night fighters). The He 219 was also the first operational [[military aircraft]] to be equipped with [[ejection seat]]s and the first operational German aircraft to be equipped with [[tricycle landing gear]].<ref name="Smith & Kay p303"/> 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 [[Daimler-Benz DB 605D|DB 610]] [[V12 engine|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-bomber]]s.

In addition to its limited use as a night fighter, Heinkel worked on numerous different models of the He 219, including as a [[aerial reconnaissance|reconnaissance]]-[[bomber]], high-altitude [[interceptor aircraft|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 bomber|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.<ref name="Boyne 1997, p. 295">Boyne 1997, p. 330.</ref> [[Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow]] was the leading night fighter [[flying ace|ace]] on the He 219, having been credited with 33 of his 34 night air victories on the type.{{sfn|Bowman|2016|p=143}}

==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''.<ref name="Smith & Kay p299"/> This was a shoulder-wing [[cantilever]] monoplane; the tailplane, which had considerable [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]], had twin [[fin]]s and [[rudder]]s. The glazed canopy of the cockpit was [[Aircraft fairing|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.<ref name="Smith & Kay p299"/> Many parts of the airframe, including its single-[[Spar (aeronautics)|spar]] wing, rectangular-section fuselage and tail surfaces, were made of metal and had a stressed-skin covering.<ref name="Smith & Kay p299">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 299.</ref>

The P.1055 was originally intended to be a multi-purpose aircraft, and was a relatively advanced design for the era, with a [[Cabin pressurization|pressurized]] cockpit, twin [[ejection seat]]s (the first to be planned for use in any combat aircraft), [[Tricycle gear|tricycle landing gear]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Sengfelder |first=Günther |date=1993 |title=German Aircraft Landing Gear |location=Atglen, PA US |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |pages=141–142 |isbn=0-88740-470-7 |quote=During retraction the nosewheel had to turn through 90 degrees, which was achieved by means of a mechanism in the head of the wheel fork. On retraction, a spring-loaded level with pulley, which limited deflection to 60 degrees by means of a locking hook and stop, was folded into the fuselage and turned through ninety degrees after making contact with a guide.}}</ref><ref>[http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t_miyama/uhuflg00.html Japanese-language site showing He 219 nosegear retraction animation]</ref> and remotely controlled, side-mounted FDSL 131 defensive [[Aircraft gun turret|gun turret]]s.<ref name="Smith & Kay p299"/> Power was to be provided by a pair of [[Daimler-Benz DB 605D|DB 610]] "power system" engines producing (2,950&nbsp;PS/2,910&nbsp;hp) each,<ref>Griehl and Dressel 1998, p. 224.</ref> delivering a performance with a top speed of approximately 750&nbsp;km/h (470&nbsp;mph) and a 4,000&nbsp;km (2,500&nbsp;mi) [[Range (aircraft)|range]] with a 2,000&nbsp;kg (4,410&nbsp;lb) [[Aerial bomb|bomb]] load.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In August 1940, an initial review by the ''[[Ministry of Aviation (Germany)|Reichsluftfahrtministerium]]'' rejected the P.1055 considering it to be too complex and risky. Lusser quickly offered four versions of the fighter with various [[wingspan]]s and engine choices in order to balance performance and risk. He also offered the ''P.1056'', a night fighter with four [[20 mm caliber|20&nbsp;mm]] [[Autocannon|cannon]] in the wings and fuselage. The RLM rejected all of these proposals on the same grounds in 1941. Heinkel was furious and fired Lusser on the spot.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

About the same time as Lusser was designing the P.1055, Kammhuber had started looking for an aircraft for his rapidly growing [[night fighter]] force. Heinkel quickly re-designed the P.1055 for this role as the ''P.1060''. This was similar in layout but somewhat smaller and powered by two [[Daimler-Benz DB 603|DB 603]] inverted [[V12 engine]]s. As designed by Heinkel, these engines' nacelles had annular [[Radiator (engine cooling)#Aircraft|radiator]]s.  The early DB 603 subtypes had poor [[altitude]] performance, which was a problem for Heinkel's short-winged design, but Daimler had a new "G" subtype of the DB 603 powerplant meant to produce 1,400&nbsp;kW (1,900 PS) take-off power apiece under development to remedy the problem. Heinkel was sure he had a winner and sent the design off to the RLM in January 1942, while he funded the first [[prototype]] himself. The RLM again rejected the He 219, in favour of new Ju 88- and Me 210-based designs.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Prototypes===
Construction of the prototype was started in February 1942; however, one month later, work was set back when Daimler reported that the intended DB 603G engine would not be ready in time and an alternative engine arrangement was necessary.<ref>Wagner and Nowarra 1971, p. 246.</ref> Even still, DB 603 engines did not arrive until August 1942, and the prototype made its [[maiden flight]] until 6 November 1942.<ref name="Predator p12">Green and Swanborough 1989, p. 12.</ref><ref name="Smith & Kay p299300">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 299-300.</ref> When Kammhuber saw the prototype on 19 November, he was so impressed that he immediately ordered it into production over Milch's objections. Milch, who had rejected the He 219 in January, was enraged.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

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.<ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/> 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} 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]].<ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/> 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]].<ref name="Smith & Kay p299"/>

During the development process several changes were made to the armament. The dorsal rear defensive guns mounted on top of the fuselage and firing directly rearward were removed due to their tendency to become detached from the fuselage when fired.<ref name="Smith & Kay p300">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 300.</ref> The forward-firing armament was increased to two Mauser MG 151/20 20&nbsp;mm autocannon in the [[wing root]]s, inboard of the propeller arcs and four more MG 151/20 autocannon mounted in the ventral fuselage tray. The A-0 model had a bulletproof shield which could be raised in the front cockpit, protecting the bottom portion of the [[windscreen]]. Production prototypes were then ordered as the ''He 219 A-0'' and quickly progressed to the point where ''V7'', ''V8'' and ''V9'' were handed over to operational units in June 1943 for testing.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The earlier prototypes, with four-blade propellers<ref>[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/aircraft/night-fighters/heinkel-he-219-uhu-night-fighter/heinkel-he-219-uhu-night-fighter-02.png He 219 V5 fifth prototype photo]</ref> 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 radar#FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C|Lichtenstein]] B/C or C-1 radar installation.<ref>[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/aircraft/night-fighters/heinkel-he-219-uhu-night-fighter/heinkel-he-219-uhu-night-fighter-02.png "Heinkel He 219."] ''Livevehicles.com''. Retrieved: 23 April 2015.</ref> 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.<ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/><ref>[https://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/11/heinkel-he-219-at-rechlin-exhibition.html "Heinkel He 219."] ''falkeeins.blogspot.com'', November 2010. Retrieved: 23 April 2015.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170819171433/https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-81de7da3cd6115ac24b615206c7ad928-c Heinkel factory engineering department's He 219 fuselage development sideview drawing, showing Ju 88G-style rear-canopy gunmount, fuselage dorsal and ventral "steps" and blunt-ended rear on cockpit canopy]</ref> 
In December 1943, Milch pushed for the He 219 programme to be cancelled in favour of the [[Junkers Ju 88|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.<ref name="Smith & Kay p301">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 301.</ref> Milch also proposed that the [[Dornier Do 335]] be favoured over the He 219. Milch repeatedly sought to have the programme cancelled;<ref name="Smith & Kay p3012">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 301-302.</ref> these efforts reportedly led to Kammhuber being removed from office.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} 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.<ref name="Smith & Kay p3012"/> Despite the programme being officially terminated, Heinkel continued low-rate production of the He 219.<ref name="Smith & Kay p302">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 302.</ref>

==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]].<ref>Chef für Ausz. und Disziplin Luftwaffen-Personalamt L.P. [A] V Films, Film C. 2027/I", Bundesarchiv/Militärarchiv, Freiburg.</ref><ref name="Smith & Kay p298">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 298.</ref> 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-bomber]]s. Greatly encouraged, Kammhuber continued to press for immediate production."<ref>"Air International Magazine", Volume 9, No. 1, July 1975, p. 24, see also ''Wings of the Luftwaffe'', Airlife, 1987.</ref><ref name="Smith & Kay p299300"/> No record of corresponding Mosquito losses or any documentary evidence exists that He 219 pilots claimed six Mosquitos.<ref>Chorley 1997, {{Page needed|date=June 2011}}.</ref><ref>Chorley 2004, {{Page needed|date=October 2024}}.</ref><ref>Franks 2000, {{Page needed|date=June 2011}}.</ref><ref>''Abschüsse auf He 219''. Mitteilung 1/44 TAD/Se, dated 25.7.44, detailing all claims made on the He 219 to 17.7.44 List is reproduced with additions to November 1944 in Joachim Dressel and Manfred Griehl, "Heinkel He-219 Uhu".</ref> In the opinion of the accomplished test pilot [[Eric Brown (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".<ref>Brown 2017, pp. 161-162.</ref>

The first model to be produced in quantity was the ''He 219 A-0'', although initially the pre-production series, it matured into a long running production series, due to numerous changes incorporated into the design, along with the cancellation of several planned variants.<ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/> As a result of production difficulties, the ''A-0'' did not reach ''Luftwaffe'' units until October 1943.<ref name=green>Greenhous 1994, p. 705.</ref> The A-0 was typically armed with a pair of 20&nbsp;mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots and up to four 20&nbsp;mm or 30&nbsp;mm cannon in a ventral weapons bay. The first 10–15 aircraft were delivered with the 490&nbsp;MHz [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]]-band ''FuG'' 212 [[Lichtenstein radar|"Lichtenstein"]] C-1 [[radar]] with a 4 × 8-dipole element ''Matratze'' antenna array.<ref name = "lepage 612">Lepage 2009, pp. 61-62.</ref> In total, 104 He 219 A-0s were built until the summer of 1944, the majority of them at EHW (''[[Ernst Heinkel]] Wien'') or ''Heinkel-Süd'' in [[Vienna International Airport|Wien-Schwechat]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-004-32, Heinkel He 219 als Nachtjäger.jpg|thumb|A production He 219A with ''Hirschgeweih'' VHF radar antennas]]

The first planned version to reach production was the ''He 219 A-2'' model, which had longer engine [[nacelle]]s containing extra [[fuel tank]]s, [[Power egg|unitized]] 1670 PS DB 603AA engines with higher critical altitude and often also two 30&nbsp;mm (1.18&nbsp;in) [[MK 108 cannon]], as an offensive ''[[Schräge Musik]]'' upward-firing system completely contained within the rear fuselage, with the cannons' muzzles even with the dorsal fuselage surface.<ref>Mondey 2006, p. 97.</ref><ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/> With Schräge Musik, the ventral weapons bay held two cannon due to space limitations.<ref>''He 219 A-0 aircraft manual,'' section 8A Beiheft 1 ''Schrägbewaffnung'', October 1944.</ref> The A-2 featured an updated, 90&nbsp;MHz [[Very high frequency|VHF]]-band Telefunken FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 radar system, complete with its larger, high-[[Drag (physics)|drag]] 4 × 2-dipole element ''Hirschgeweih'' aerials. It initially had a longer minimum range than the C-1 radar, but had improved accuracy and resolution and was also less vulnerable to [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] jamming. Through the late summer of 1944, a total of 85 He 219 A-2s were built until November 1944, most at EHR (''Ernst Heinkel Rostock'') or ''Heinkel-Nord'' in Rostock-Marienehe (now Rostock-Schmarl).{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

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&nbsp;km (3&nbsp;mi) maximum detection range was greater than the distance between the bombers. While the performance of the A-2 was not extraordinary—approximately 580&nbsp;km/h (360&nbsp;mph) [[Airspeed|speed]]—it was enough of an advance over the [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]]Gs and Dornier Do 217Ns for the crew to chase several bombers in a single [[sortie]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The He 219 was typically well received by personnel; ground crews benefited from its high level of accessibility for maintenance work.<ref name="Smith & Kay p302"/> Furthermore, the inclusion of an ejector seat was credited with saving the lives of numerous air crew. Pilots also favoured its weapons placement.<ref name="Smith & Kay p302"/>

[[File:Heinkel He219.jpg|thumb|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&nbsp;km/h (404&nbsp;mph); this version was given the designation ''A-6''.<ref name="Smith & Kay p302"/> None of these were produced, but similar weight saving measures could be undertaken at the unit level.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} 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,<ref>Kay and Smith 2002, p. 154.</ref> 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.<ref name=green/>

The last major production version was the ''A-7'' with improved, unitized DB 603E engines. The A-7 typically had two [[20 mm caliber|20&nbsp;mm]] [[MG 151 cannon|MG 151/20 cannon]] in the wing roots (inboard of the propeller arcs), two 20&nbsp;mm MG 151/20 in the ventral weapons bay and two 30&nbsp;mm (1.18&nbsp;in) MK 108s as rear-fuselage dorsal mount, upwards-firing ''Schräge Musik'' offensive ordnance.<ref name="Smith & Kay p302303">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 302-303.</ref> Production of 210 aircraft was to start November/December 1944, but the number produced is not known as original documents have been lost or contained no sub-version number.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Further developments===
[[File:Jumo 222E 2.jpg|thumb|The troublesome [[Jumo 222]] multibank engine, meant for the He 219B and -C subtypes]]

The follow-on series to the He 219As in service was to be the ''He 219B'' fitted with the new 1,864&nbsp;kW (2,500&nbsp;hp) [[Junkers Jumo 222]]A/B 24-cylinder engines which would have allowed the He 219 to reach 700&nbsp;km/h (440&nbsp;mph). The He 219B was also to have had an increased span of 22.06&nbsp;m (72.38&nbsp;ft), for better high altitude performance. The Jumo 222 did not reach production status, with just under 300 examples built in at least three differing displacement sizes.<ref name="Smith & Kay p303">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 303.</ref> Only a few test machines were ever fitted with the engines; some additional airframes were built with the enlarged wing. These examples were intended to fly with high-altitude versions of the standard DB 603 powerplants in place of the Jumo 222 multibank powerplants, but only one or two test machines ever flew with them.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

A further adaptation would have been the He 219C, also intended to use the B-series design's big wing and Jumo 222 powerplants as well as an all-new fuselage of 17.15&nbsp;m (56.27&nbsp;ft), with a complete three-man Ju 388J cockpit section forward, converted to accept the He 219A's standard nose gear layout the Borsig-designed ''Hecklafette'' HL 131V "quadmount", hydraulic-powered four-[[MG 131 machine gun|gun]] manned tail turret intended for later He 177A versions and the [[Heinkel He 177#Further development-the Heinkel He 177B|He 177B-5]], as well as more than one ''Amerikabomber'' strategic bomber design competitor.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140309001843/http://www.germanaircraftwwii.com/img/upload/heee1_1.jpg Heinkel ''Typenblatt'' general arrangement drawing."] ''germanaircraftwwii.com''. Retrieved: 23 April 2015.</ref> Day bomber and night fighter versions were proposed and metal was cut for the project but since the 1,500-kW Jumo 222 engines remained experimental they never flew.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Paper projects include the very-high-altitude He 219E with a vastly increased wingspan of 28.5&nbsp;m (93.5&nbsp;ft) and 1,500&nbsp;kW (2,000 PS) output rated DB 614 engines, which were apparently a further-uprated version of the never-produced DB 603G inverted V12, capable of the desired 1,491&nbsp;kW (2,000&nbsp;hp) power output level that Germany [[Bomber B#High-output engines|were unable to develop into a reliable powerplant]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

A more reasonable project was the [[Hütter Hü 211]], a design by Wolfgang Hütter that took a standard He 219 fuselage and tail and added a long-span, high [[Aspect ratio (wing)|aspect ratio]] [[wing]] of 24.55&nbsp;m (80.54&nbsp;ft) to create a fast, high altitude [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]]. Since this design was also meant to be powered by the ill-fated Jumo 222 it never flew, although work continued on two sets of wings until they were destroyed by Allied bombing.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Variants==
;He 219 A-0
:Initially used for pre-production aircraft but became first major production version with 1,750&nbsp;PS DB&nbsp;603A engines, 104 built as of 30 November 1944,<ref name="Freiburg1">"BA/MA RL 3/1024 Flugzeug-Programm 227 Ausgabe 1, 9." ''Military archive Freiburg,'' January 1945.</ref>
;He 219 A-1
:Proposed [[reconnaissance]]-bomber aircraft; project abandoned<ref name="Smith & Kay p300"/>
;He 219 A-2
:Similar to A-0 but extended engine nacelles with additional fuel tanks, 1,670&nbsp;PS DB&nbsp;603AA engines, 85 built as of 30 November 1944<ref name="Freiburg1"/>
;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&nbsp;mm MG 151/20s
;He 219 A-7
:Improved night fighter version, powered by two 1,800&nbsp;PS DB&nbsp;603E engines, 210 ordered as of 30 November 1944<ref name="Freiburg1"/>
;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<ref name="Smith & Kay p303"/>
;He 419
:Various derived projects culminating in He 419 B-1/R1, six of which were flown; use of the He 319 [[Empennage|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 {{convert|679|km/h|abbr=on}} to {{convert|13600|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Smith & Kay p3034">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 303-304.</ref>
;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==
;{{CZS}}
* [[Czechoslovak Air Force]] (Postwar)
;{{flag|Germany|Nazi}}
* ''[[Luftwaffe]]''

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:He_219_fully_restored.png|thumb|Heinkel He 219 at the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]]. 22 May 2021]]

When the [[European Theatre of World War II|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 [[Karup Airport|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 [[Operation LUSTY#Watson's "Whizzers"|"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]] {{HMS|Reaper|D82|6}}, and was reassembled at Newark Army Air Field, [[Newark, New Jersey]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

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.<ref>[http://www.warbirdsnews.com/uncategorized/nasms-heinkel-he-219-restoration-update.html "NASM’s Heinkel He-219 Restoration Update."] ''www.warbirdsnews.com '', 6 August 2014. Retrieved: 29 December 2014.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600322000 "Heinkel He 219 A-2/R4 Uhu (Eagle Owl)."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502100117/http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600322000 |date=2 May 2012 }} ''Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 25 April 2012.</ref>

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.<ref>Christensen, Abildgaard. [http://www.tv2nord.dk/artikel/203637:Regionale-nyheder--Sjaeldent-fly-til-Aalborg "Sjældent fly til Aalborg" (in Danish).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428042647/http://www.tv2nord.dk/artikel/203637:Regionale-nyheder--Sjaeldent-fly-til-Aalborg |date=28 April 2012 }} ''tv2nord'', 24 April 2012.</ref>

==Specifications (He 219 A-7)==
[[File:Heinkel He 219 A-7-R1 3-view line drawing.jpg|thumb|3-view drawing of Heinkel He 219A-7/R1]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''German aircraft of the Second World War'',<ref name="smithkay 1990">Smith and Kay 1990, pp. 298–304.</ref> ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II'',<ref name=JFAoWWII>{{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II |editor-last1=Bridgman |editor-first1=Leonard |date=1989 |publisher=Military Press |location=New York, US |language=en |isbn=0517679647 |edition=1995 |pages=168–169}}</ref> ''Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.2 – Flugzeugtypen Erla-Heinkel''<ref name=Nowarra>{{cite book |last=Nowarra |first=Heinz J. |title=Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.2 – Flugzeugtypen Erla-Heinkel |year=1993 |publisher=Bernard & Graefe Verlag |location=Koblenz, Germany |isbn=3-7637-5464-4 |language=de |pages=234–239, 270–271}}</ref>
|prime units?= met
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|crew= 2
|length m= 15.33
|span m= 18.5
|height m= 4.1
|wing area sqm= 44.5
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' He 2 37 16.8–0.715–36.6; '''tip:''' He 2 37 12-0.715–36.6<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg= 11,200
|gross weight kg= 15,300
|max takeoff weight kg=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 2
|eng1 name= [[Daimler-Benz DB 603E]]
|eng1 type= [[V12 engine|V-12]] inverted liquid-cooled piston engines
|eng1 kw= 1,324

|prop blade number= 3
|prop name= VDM constant-speed propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
Performance
-->
|max speed kmh= 670
|max speed note= at {{cvt|7000|m}}
|cruise speed kmh= 540
|stall speed kmh=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|range km= 1,545
|combat range km=
|ferry range km= 2,000
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m= 12,700
|ceiling note= (absolute)
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
Armament
-->
|guns=
** 2 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[MG 151/20 cannon]] in a detachable fairing under the fuselage, 300 rpg
** 2 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} MG 151/20 cannon in wing roots, 300 rpg
** 2 × {{cvt|30|mm|3}} [[MK 108 cannon]], ''[[Schräge Musik]]'' (oriented 65° above horizontal), 100 rpg
|bombs= 
|rockets= 
|missiles= 
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[Bristol Beaufighter]] Mk I/Mk VI
* [[Caproni Ca.331]]
* [[de Havilland Mosquito]]
* [[Focke-Wulf Ta 154]]
* [[Junkers Ju 88]]C/G/R
* [[Kawasaki Ki-45]]&nbsp;KAId
* [[Mitsubishi Ki-46]]&nbsp;III-KAI
* [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]]F-4/G-4
* [[Nakajima J1N]]
* [[Northrop P-61 Black Widow]]
* [[Petlyakov Pe-3]]
|lists=
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Boyne |first=Walter J. |title=Clash of Wings |location=New York, US |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1994 |language=en |isbn=0-684-83915-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bowman |first=Martin |year=2016 |title=German Night Fighters Versus Bomber Command 1943–1945 |publisher=Pen and Sword |language=en |isbn=978-1-4738-4979-2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Eric |title=Wings of the Luftwaffe |publisher=Crecy |year=2017 |language=en |isbn=9-781902-109152}}
* {{cite book |last=Chorley |first=W.R. |title=Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 5, 1944: Amendments and Additions |location=London, UK |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |year=1997 |language=en |isbn=978-0-904597-91-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Chorley |first=W.R. |title=Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 6, 1945: Amendments and additions |location=London, UK |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |year=2004 |language=en |isbn=978-0-904597-92-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Franks |first=Norman L.R. |title=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 |location=Hersham, Surrey, UK |publisher=Midland Publishing |year=2000 |language=en |isbn=978-1-85780-093-7}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Green |first1=William |last2=Swanborough |first2=Gordon |title=Heinkel's Nocturnal Predator... The He 219 |journal=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue=40 |date=September–December 1989 |pages=8–19, 70–72 |location=Bromley, Kent |language=en |publisher=Tri-Service Press}}
* {{cite book |last=Greenhous |first=Brereton |title=The Crucible of War: 1939–1945 |location=Toronto, Canada |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=1994 |language=en |isbn=0-8020-0574-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Griehl |first1=Manfred |last2=Dressel |first2=Joachim |title=Heinkel He 177 – 277 – 274 |location=Shrewsbury, UK |publisher=Airlife Publishing |year=1998 |language=en |isbn=1-85310-364-0}}
* {{cite book |first = Jean-Denis G.G. |last = LePage |title = Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945: An Illustrated Guide |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hdQBTcscxyQC&pg=PA243 |year = 2009 |publisher = McFarland |language=en |isbn = 978-0-7864-5280-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Mondey |first=David |title=The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II |publisher=Bounty Books |date=2006 |location=London, UK |language=en |isbn=0-7537-1460-4 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=John Richard |last2=Kay |first2=Antony L. |title=German Aircraft of the Second World War |location=London, UK |publisher=Putnam |year=1972 |language=en |isbn=978-0-370-00024-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=John Richard |last2=Kay |first2=Anthony L. |title=German aircraft of the Second World War |date=1990 |publisher=Putnam |location=London, UK |language=en |isbn=0851778364 |edition=9th impression}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=John Richard |last2=Kay |first2=Anthony L. |title=German Aircraft of the Second World War: Including Helicopters and Missiles |series=Putnam's History of Aircraft |location=London, UK |publisher=Putnam |year=2002 |language=en |isbn=0-85177-920-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Wagner |first1=Ray |last2=Nowarra |first2=Heinz |title=German Combat Planes |location=New York, US |publisher=Doubleday |language=en |year=1971}}
{{Refend}}

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

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.wingsontheweb.com/vhangar/he219/tour.html "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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717100401/http://www.wingsontheweb.com/vhangar/he219/tour.html |date=17 July 2012 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213937/http://www.deutscheluftwaffe.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/h/He%20219/He%20219%20A-0%20Schusswaffenanlage.pdf He 219A-0 Pilot's Manual – in German]
* [http://www.danas-have.dk/He219.htm Photopage of the recovered He 219A in Denmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223071606/http://www.danas-have.dk/He219.htm |date=23 December 2014 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOUEFuzIOw4 The Smithsonian's "A Rare Restoration Project" Video of their He 219A-2's wing structure evaluation]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo9v7Ku9as4 Photo-montage of the Smithsonian's He 219A 290 202, with many detail shots, including the ''Kraftei''-unitized DB 603 engines]

{{Heinkel aircraft}}
{{RLM aircraft designations}}
{{Czech bombers}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1940s German fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Heinkel aircraft|He 219]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1942]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]