Heinkel He 219 Uhu

EagleCals Decals

1/32 and 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

Eagle Cals #147 1/32 and 1/48 He 219 Uhu are available online from Squadron.com

These two decal sets, almost identical except in scale, are intended for the new 1/32 Revell and Zoukei-mura Heinkel He 219 kits and the older but still excellent 1/48 Tamiya kit. 

He 219 camouflage was rarely dramatic:  the type’s limited production (less than 300 were completed) and specialised night fighter role saw most examples finished in variations of RLM 75 Grey Violet mottle over RLM 76 Light Blue and (sometimes) black.  In this context, EagleCals has done well to find three aircraft with subtly different finishes that represent different stages of the He 219 production run.

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Thumbnail panels:

These aircraft are as follows:

• He 219 A-0, G9+FK/W.Nr. unknown, flown by Hptm. Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow of 1./NJG 1 in 1944.  G9+FK’s 76/75 mottle scheme was offset by the largely black undersurface of the starboard wing. 

• He 219 A-2, D5+BL/W.Nr. 290126, photographed at Grove, Denmark in May 1945.  On this aircraft the black covered all undersurfaces up to the mid-point of the fuselage sides; the vertical stabilisers were also black.  The instructions point out that the RAF subsequently tested this aircraft, “with all national markings eventually replaced with RAF roundels”.

• He 219 A-7, W.Nr. 310193.  This aircraft is illustrated as overall 76 with 75 mottle, but the instructions make clear that this is a provisional description because W.Nr.310193 was photographed after the forward fuselage had been destroyed.

These subject choices cater to all available He 219 kits – Zoukei-mura’s 1/32 A-0, Revell’s 1/32 A-7, and Tamiya’s 1/48 A-7 (for which Vector offers a straightforward A-0/A-5 conversion set – see http://www.eagle-editions.com/eagleparts/vector-resins-he-219-conversion/he-219-conversion-set-a-0-5-uhu-detail.html).

EagleCals’ instructions are as comprehensive as ever, and include the following information:

• Full colour port profiles and overhead views of the three aircraft, with decal identity and placement locations clearly marked.

• Scrap views showing correct radar array arrangements and underwing Balkenkreuz location (for which paper templates are provided if you wish to paint these markings rather than use decals).

• Detailed information about each aircraft, including a photograph of W.Nr. 310193, and a list of references for those wanting to conduct further research.

The 1/32 and 1/48 decals are each contained on single sheets.  No printing company is identified, but the decals look very similar to EagleCals’ 1/32 and 1/48 B-25 releases which immediately preceded these sets, and which were produced by Cartograf.  Printing quality appears to be very good, with registration perfect right down to the 1/48 NJG 1 emblem for G9+FK.  There are two spinner spiral decals – no spares, so you’ll need to be careful – while the Hakenkreuz are provided in outer and inner halves and will require precise alignment.  Only one solid black underwing cross is supplied on the 1/32 sheet – presumably due to limited space – meaning that modelers opting for W.Nr. 310193 will need to source the other cross from the kit decals or elsewhere.

EagleCals’ thoughtful choice of subjects for these releases delivers more variety than is apparent at first glance, and when combined with the excellent instructions and decals, results in a package that should be considered by anyone planning a 1/32 or 1/48 He 219 build. 

Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review samples

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website

Preview Text Copyright © 2013 by Brad Fallen
This Page Created on 30 July, 2013
Last updated 30 July, 2013

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