Heinkel He 219

The Heinkel He 219 “Uhu” was a German night‑fighter introduced in 1943 and produced by Heinkel until the war’s end. Developed as a response to the Luftwaffe’s need for a dedicated radar‑equipped interceptor, the He 219 combined advanced aerodynamics with cutting‑edge electronic equipment. Its all‑metal, low‑wing design featured a twin‑engine layout, a pressurized cockpit and a retractable tailwheel undercarriage. The aircraft carried the Lichtenstein SN‑2 radar and later the more powerful FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN‑3, enabling pilots to locate Allied bombers in darkness or poor weather. Armed with a central 30 mm MK 108 cannon and up to four 20 mm MG 151/20 guns, it could deliver a lethal burst at close range. Only a few hundred were built, but the He 219 demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated radar and firepower, influencing post‑war night‑fighter concepts. Its high speed, excellent climb rate, and heavy armament made it one of the most capable German night interceptors of World War II, and it is remembered today as a milestone in the evolution of all‑weather combat aviation.

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