He 219 Uhu: The Eagle Owl Night Fighter

What do you get when you put four 20mm cannon, two 30 mm Schräge Musik cannon, stacks of radars, a lovely grauviolett (gray-violette) camoflage scheme and package it in a deadly beautiful airframe? It's the He 219 Uhu- a lethal Luftwaffe night fighter of WW2 that could knock down MULTIPLE RAF bombers in a single mission! Why didn't it make a bigger impact on the nightly air war over Germany? It's a tragic tale of rivals and squabbles and disagreements and petty feuds and grudges. / worldofwarbirds
amzn.to/4eCM9KI

[@jfu5222]

The HE 209 Uhu and the FW 189 Uhu are two of my favorite aircraft, both are beautiful in very different ways.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Very much so! Both are very distinct and suited to their elements!

[@cedhome7945]

Much better than the dark series of misinformation and miss pronounced names 👍

[@worldofwarbirds]

I’m glad you say so. In the past I took a lot of flak over pronunciation and I work hard at it now!

[@koiyujo1543]

THis thing has four 20mms and two 30mm it was a monster! I play this thing in war thunder and I love it!

[@worldofwarbirds]

It packed quite the punch!

[@bwilliams463]

As many times as I hear it, I'm still stunned how people responsible for the fate of their nations can let their egos and petty grievances get in the way while their fighting men and civilians are out there dying by the minute.

[@frasermitchell9183]

"It's a tragic tale...." More like a fortunate tale as far as the Allies were concerned !

[@stephenmeier4658]

Tragic for Nazis, I guess

[@worldofwarbirds]

I try to be neutral with the aircraft, although as a Canadian my sympathies of course would fall on the side of the allies.

[@drstrangelove4998]

The 262 took care of the Mossie unfortunately.

[@KARLMARX56]

Yes, perspective is everything

[@jamesrose1460]

The absurdity of the politics & ego in Wartime Germany. The He-219 was an amazing aircraft. It was very effective. The first production model on it's first flight..shot down four Bombers... The design also had provisons for jet power....it would have been a real Night Terror if it was built in the numbers....the Night skies over Germany would have been hell.

[@tropicthndr]

Many many Germans died because of Erhard Milch childish nonsense.

[@drstrangelove4998]

Yes , as if the allies didn’t suffer similar problems 🙄

[@gardener68]

@@drstrangelove4998 Dude. The Allies won. Whatever their political problems, they mostly avoided the ambiguity and egoism that the Nazi's labyrinthine government structure created and even encouraged.

[@queencinn4964]

So cool! I’ve seen the he 219 at the Smithsonian near Dulles international airport.. she’s a beaut!

[@phhdvm]

It was one of the highlights of my recent visit there. What a great museum

[@ralfdiehl4677]

The concept of divide et impera, to have competing offices to get the best results turned into the opposite due to prestigious thinking and rivalties. It was used to control each of the offices and to diminish their influence, which it did, with compromising success overall.

[@fahey7335]

It worked for the Russians. Even today. The Mig/Sukhoi rivalry is legendary but gave excellent results.

[@tauncfester3022]

The Junkers 288A was also destined to be kicked to the curb, Built around a pair of the Jumo 222, their water cooled 24 cylinder Inline/radial, the pistons and cylinders and head were all based on Junkers' high RPM Jumo 211~212 series of bomber V-12 engines that also gained notoriety for their use in the FW 190D and 152. The Jumo engine plant was seriously destroyed in late 1944 and with it the tooling for their 222. It was the near equivalent of the Bristol Centaurus.

[@MGB-learning]

Great video of my favorite night fighters.

[@baronvonbeedy7987]

Kamhueber was brought back once more, but it was too late, not enough He 219 and not enough pilots or high octane fuel. Beyond his command work, he created the first electronic CIC tables using a frosted glass piece with grids and lights to map live air operations. These grids made a line up western Europe and were known as the Kamheuber Line. In each grid was a night fighter to kill a bomber. They flew loitering, tracking, shooting circuits inside their grid.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Yes - a whole episode could easily be done on the development of night fighter techniques and the back and forth technology arms race of measures and counter-measures!

[@kensummers7757]

Winkle Brown was not impressed. "Underpowered" and "Poor Brakes" were his notes on the UHU.

[@antartis73]

The Schrage musik was mainly used to aim for engines rather than belly. Imagine blowing up an aircraft with its bomb load on board.. not a good thing to be under. Great video nonetheless

[@duartesimoes508]

Yes. They aimed between the two engines, where a fuel tank was known to be, and allowed the stream of shells to run from the leading to the trailing edge. They used very few tracers and even these were blue, and the Bomber Command took an awful lot of time to discover this new threat, until one night some RAF tail gunner watched another Bomber being downed that way and was lucky to return and debrief his finding. Still, it was exceedingly difficult to spot a fighter attacking from directly below. It was a blind spot. Only a very few Canadian Sqns. Lancasters received a makeshift downward looking panel and a machine gun, probably just a .303, which was only good to try to persuade the German pilot to go shoot someone else... 🤬

[@davidrees1279]

The HE-219 was more trouble than it was worth. It was a complicated design that took too long to build and did not offer a sufficient improvement in performance over the tried and tested JU-88 G to be ordered into mass production. There simply was no right answer to the Luftwaffe's "Mosquito Problem".

[@wanderschlosser1857]

Well, the Me262 certainly was. Too late though to make a difference.

[@davidrees1279]

@@wanderschlosser1857, There were too many problems with the ME 262 Nightfighter variant. Poor quality materials for it's turbines, extra weight of the Radar and Operator, low velocity Cannons, the extra drag of the Drop-Tanks..

[@wanderschlosser1857]

@@davidrees1279 Mossies weren't only a threat by night. Apart from that and the obvious problems of the 262, it was still much faster and able to intercept a high and fast flying Mosquito at will, something Luftwaffe prop fighters weren't able to do. They only got close if circumstances were lucky.

[@paulbantick8266]

@@wanderschlosser1857 I don't understand what you mean? Are you saying that the He219 was: " still much faster and able to intercept a high and fast flying Mosquito at will.? If you mean the Me 262. It wouldn't have been able to intercept the NF Mosquito Mk.XV and PR Mk 32 at high altitude. Intercepting at will in general is also a silly term to use. If your quote is pertaining the He 219 to the Mosquito, then I'd look to credible research evidence if I were you.

[@wanderschlosser1857]

@@paulbantick8266 Of course I was talking about the 262. With "at will" I mean that the 262 would dictate the terms of engagement, mainly as a result of its far superior speed, climbing and acceleration performance. That's the difference to "at chance" when an intercept is only possible when starting the engagement from a superior position and speed which was the only way a German prop fighter could intercept a Mosquito. Or an Allied prop fighter could intercept a 262 for that matter. And yes, that applies to all Mosquito versions of the war vs. 262's.

[@BrianWMay]

There is only ONE 'Royal Air Force' and that IS the British one. Shrage Musik was not generally aimed at the belly because that's where 7 tonnes or so of bombs were located. They learned early doors to aim for the wing roots where fuel tanks were located. Homebound bombers however . . . Otherwise fascinating post, thank you for taking the trouble.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Thanks for pointing that out about the typical Shrage Musik aiming points. For the purely-audio version of this episode, I made the change to reflect it.

[@stevehill4615]

Thanks for the video I never realised there was 3 aircraft that had the uhu monika (always smile when i hear that as theres a brand of adhesive in the UK called u-hu), clears up why I'd see reference to uhu's but see totally different aircraft.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Hi - what's the third? I know the he 219 and fw 189.

[@stevehill4615]

​@@worldofwarbirdssorry i got mixed up and thought there was a third aircraft with the moniker but as above I'd always been confused by the 2 different aircraft with the same name.

[@Retroscoop]

Sour Milch.... Fortunately, Allied firepower got lots of support of Nazi stupidity to bring down the 3rd Reich. I love that killer-insect-like front and the beautiful dotted paint sceme: for those who are aces in building scale models it must be a treat to make this one.

[@worldofwarbirds]

It’s my favourite model that I’ve built so far. The mottled camo scheme was tricky but very satisfying to finish.

[@stephenhigginson5061]

Awesome ! More please.....

[@worldofwarbirds]

If people keep liking them, I'll keep making them. Dropping me a Superthanks WILL speed up the process though! Cheers!

[@fredop3971]

Some drawing come from comic "Le Grand Duc" by Romain Hugault, great.

[@timwinn3904]

The he 219 is absolutely a beautiful aircraft and it was in a virtually brand new state when captured I'm fortunate enough to live fairly close to the Udvar Hazy center of the NASM if you Love planes it is a must visit

[@worldofwarbirds]

Yes! It could do a hell of a lot of damage!

[@simongee8928]

The issue with internal squabbling and point scoring within the Nazi party heirarchy was common throughout WW2 and not just with the 219. Maybe it was just as well for the Allies, otherwise German industrial might could have caused a lot more issues.

[@anthonysmith4784]

Great video just one thing late war German kill claims were very suspicious On one night HE219s claimed 6 mosquitoes shot down RAF records show no losses

[@drstrangelove4998]

You are wrong, don’t make stuff up.

[@johannesfeigl5309]

What an armament:430mmkal.kannon in a bventral traythat packs a punch😊

[@new.handle]

This is what Axies (Japan Germany and Italy) of 2ww was all about ---> bad decisions in crucial times. ❤

[@drstrangelove4998]

Usual allied propaganda, tiresome.

[@Slaktrax]

Good video, very informative.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Glad you liked it!

[@frosty3693]

With all the in fighting in Hitler's 'inner circle' and competing companies it is a wonder they were able to defeat anyone. (but it could be argued France and Russia were even more a mess.) Hitler himself worked against German progress. (He opposed the rifle Stg 44, the first assault rifle and the maker even changed the name to MP44 so he would think it was an upgraded MP40 sub machine gun.) Though the institutional in fighting award should go to the Japanese army and navy.

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

Yes the Japanese infighting was pathological . Even within the services . The navy was mainly against attacking USA and Pearl Harbour was the only small chance they had . How they thought the USA were going to sue for peace later ; really is muddled considering they would not themselves sue for peace facing near annihilation in Spring 1945 .

[@user-ks1di8rw3f]

As I recall "Winkle" Brown wasn't that impressed with it?

[@worldofwarbirds]

Yes, you’re correct. And he would know. He flew everything!

[@andrewmacgregor8717]

I think I prefer Heinkel's designs over Messerschmitt. They always look cooler to me. The Uhu was a pretty bird and so were the HE 111 and the Greif. It was the glazed nose and canopies that are most attractive I think.

[@worldofwarbirds]

You know I’ve never thought of it that way but I am inclined to agree!

[@1joshjosh1]

This was an interesting video

[@lilibethdoherty295]

Das ist sehr interessant.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Danke!

[@2tone753]

In German there is a saying: "If you have friends like that, you don't need any more enemies." But that was exactly the result of National Socialism. Influential industrialists, but also Nazi politicians, were constantly feuding. This is one of the differences between dictatorship and democracy. One man (Hitler) either approved or denied weapons systems himself. But even though I'm interested in technology, including weapons technology, I can't imagine how many years longer the war would have lasted, and how many millions more people directly in the war or through further mass murders and genocides, victims among the civilian population, even your own, death would have overtaken you. As a German, I can only say that luckily it didn't come to that.

[@raywhitehead730]

Did I miss something? This is about night Fighter airplanes.

[@2tone753]

@@raywhitehead730 You didn't miss anything. It's about a so-called "night hunter" and I gave an explanation as to why so many things didn't work out in Nazi Germany. But, I have no idea what nationality you are and it doesn't really matter, everything regarding these topics also had an impact. One other than just how fast, high and far a plane can fly and how many bombers it can send to the ground. I am German and feel free to say something about it. Accept it or not, it's your decision as well as mine. Thanks

[@frankhassle9366]

You are brainwashed.

[@worldofwarbirds]

The Uhu was delivered late and in insufficient numbers partly because of the institutional internal feuding of the Nazi Party and State. I mention this in the video and @2tone753 is just commenting on that.

[@speedyeg-guitars-playlists4800]

Heinkel didn't build Planes after the war any longer. They made a tiny bubble car the Heinkel Kabine later and a scooter the Heinkel Tourist.

[@drstrangelove4998]

Yes they did make aircraft post war, you didn’t listen to the video properly.

[@josephstabile9154]

At projected 470mph, hardly Mosquito territory (~400mph). More like Arado Ar-234 territory.

[@CJB-]

It's top speed was very similar to the Mosquito and the Mossy was 2 years earlier. For more information on the De Havilland aircraft check out Herman Gorings views on it.

[@worldofwarbirds]

Yes, maybe it was more in "wishful thinking" territory!

[@jamesricker3997]

It will go 470mph,please give us money. Well it can't hit 470mph but it is better than anything else available.

[@Jack-bs6zb]

@@jamesricker3997 ... Eric Brown stated that it was significantly slower than the Mosquito.

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@WmPryor1]

Considering the RAF's Bomber Command doctrine during WW2, if they actually bombed a military target, it was most likely an accident. "Area Bombing", the euphemism for mass slaughter of civilians didn't require facing off against Luftwaffe defenses around an actual military target. Occasionally the RAF did go after a military target like the Tirpitz or the Ruhr and Roer River dams but that activity was an exception not the rule.

[@jamesricker3997]

They were area bombing and they knew the factory was in the area

[@paulbantick8266]

More misleading guff

[@WmPryor1]

@@paulbantick8266 Your unsupported "opinion" is duly noted. I imagine you also believe the firebombing of Tokyo that killed 100K+ civilians in one afternoon (more than the A-bombs) and made millions homeless was a necessity to win the war. Japan was surrounded, logistically cut off and clearly defeated. General Le May even admitted his actions were war crimes. I'm so impressed with your version of patriotism. "Be careful when you tangle with monsters that you don't become one!" Nietzsche.

[@paulbantick8266]

@@WmPryor1 So posting 'More misleading guff' is unsupported is it? I suggest you look beyond a KZbin thread and the blank staring at your ceiling of imagination and go read literature that doesn't harp opinion to your liking. There's plenty of it out there. The RAF bombed industrial and military complexes as well as cities that had said complexes within. . Those targets made the weapons of war and nasty things like Zyklon B that would go on to be vastly more devastating to humans than the total allied bombing campaign as a whole. I think that the allied aircrews did a grand job of helping to win the war but the loss of aircrew in Bomber Command in my opinion, was bordering on criminal. I don't fret over the then enemy people that died on the ground. I feel sorry for them but that's all. Arthur Harris's quote is rather apt and I fully agree with its sentiments. But all the same you posted this rubbish. "Considering the RAF's Bomber Command doctrine during WW2, if they actually bombed a military target, it was most likely an accident." It's not hard to find information of the targets bombed by the RAF. They were not against the population. A target was intended. Bombing accuracy by both day and night, left a lot to be desired. But as time went on the bombing would become more 'tighter' and more accurate. The incapacitating of the workforce was a useful by-product. People live in strategic towns and cities. Bombs fall, intending to destroy industry. Many bombs missed while many people died. Total war was a bugger. But, like the 30 years war, it's history. The milk is spilt, so get over it.

[@freigeist2814]

one day these war crimes will be assessed in the right way

[@neogeo4839]

219 had too weak engines for the overall weight of the aircraft with weapons, night flight fuel capabilities and radar antennas that resisted. As a result, it climbed too slowly and had problems with quick maneuvers, as later American tests showed.

[@drstrangelove4998]

What are you talking about, five Lancs s shot down in ten minutes on its first flight, seven in twelve minites on another. Yeh, some ‘dud’ eh? 😂😂😂

[@jonashellsborn7648]

​@@drstrangelove4998Your reply does not refute OPs statement. Test flight was likely scheduled "patrol" with or w/o bomber stream. Actual point defense/scramble would require rapid climb where it thus failed. It wasn't the gunnery, it was the TimeToTarget. And allegedly Ju88 fared better in the role in downings per sortie. Milch did not need another finicky wunderwaffle to spread resources on. Tho it looks darn cool! See comments on Winkle's review below. "Under powered and poor brakes"...

[@wordsisnukes]

I like the idea of a Mosquito hunter. Good man, Dr. Heinkel!

[@Jack-bs6zb]

Why? Are you a nazi sympathiser? In any case the Mosquito was a superlative success in every one of its many roles, in utter contrast to this beautiful but failed machine.

[@jamesricker3997]

To many unnecessary features incorporated into the airframe, hindered its proformence and delayed its introduction.

[@Vickzq]

Considering how it had the first ever ejection seats...

[@daveanderson3805]

There is this myth that the Germans were somehow really efficient and effective. In truth Germany was an inefficient mess, where nepotism, corruption and incompetence, as well as political infighting, were running riot. It's quite remarkable that the german war economy managed to achieve as much as they did

[@Pikilloification]

Well, slave labour and the pillaging of most of Europe had quite a bit to do with it

[@TAJ1977]

Greetings from Germany 😃 its Uhu, cause of the sound of the bird 🤷‍♂️ german is easy 😂🖖

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

It was a large aircraft and no match for a Mosquito . Unless it could sneak up on bombers ; just like a Ju88G . Mosquito night fighters could easily destroy either aircraft and in late 1944 many Mosquitos were sent out to destroy German nightfighters

[@gort8203]

No match for a Mosquito in what way? Not British? Worse radar? The 219 was fast and well armed. So what if it was a little larger than a Mosquito. The Mosquito was a superb aircraft, but the way Mosquito fanboys are compelled to always chime in on videos about any other aircraft just to claim the Mosquito was better is a bit dreary.

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

@@gort8203 that's just the truth. You hear this or that a

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

German plane would Have made the difference truth the He219 was much slower in reality with the drag inducing aerials . Try reading Nacht Jagd by Theo Boiten .German night fighter German pilots were terrified by Mosquito nightfigters . In the last year of the war. It's radar was internal and it took a massive toll of enemy aircraft

[@ricky4k743]

@AnthonyBrown, u really sound like a mosquito fanboy. It s just not true what u say. Mosquitos were overcome at the end of the war. He 219 and me 262 can easily destroy them.

[@Jack-bs6zb]

@ricky4k743. … and you sound like a AH fanboy or simply resent the reality of air warfare colliding with your national prejudices.

[@draven7311]

OWL PLEASE AND A REAL HUMAN VOICE INSTEAD OF A I

[@worldofwarbirds]

Hmm. I’m all human! And I did call it an owl. I even said oo hoo!

[@ljj808]

You’re good. The research is there. Don’t try so hard to be “funny”, otherwise you’ll get stuck on 16.1k subs…….but interesting video - Thank You