The Tamiya He-219 is the standard for 1/48th scale models of this airplane. However, marking options have been a little sparse for this kit. Eagle Cal has released a new sheet that covers the three basic paint schemes seen on the Uhu. This set is released in conjunction the Eagle Cals 1/32nd scale decals covering the same aircraft. The 1/48th scale decals cover the A-0, A-7, and the A-2 versions. To build the A-0 and A-2 versions, the modeler would be advised to get the Vector resin conversion set, also available from Eagle Editions.

The decals are printed on a 5 x 5½ inch sheet. The decals don’t indicate who did them, but they look the same quality as Microscale. These aircraft are as colorful as the real aircraft. Most He-219s were fairly plain-looking, but that was norm for this airplane. They typically hade either RLM 75 tops with RLM 76 squiggle pattern or dots over it. The undersurfaces can be either RLM 76 or RLM 22 Black. Some have the lower right wing painted black as well.

The instructions are printed in color on a single four-sheet folded to half A4 size. There are three aircraft included on the sheet. Be careful reading the instructions – the second and third aircraft description are not the same as the photos. This is not a big deal, but you should be aware of it.

The first one is an A-0 version with a unique radar arrangement and has a night fighter unit emblem, as well as a right lower wing painted black. This aircraft has a combat record with Hptm. Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow of 1./NJG1. The next is an A-2 from 3./NJG3 that was captured by the British. Unfortunately, the British markings are not included. It has a black bottom and fuselage sides. The final aircraft is an A-7, and is what the Tamiya kit can be built as out of the box. All aircraft are shown in three-view drawings. Inside, there is a photo from Eagle Editions Wings of the Black Cross Number Seven. Another bonus is the inclusion of the radar installation set up.

If you have the Tamiya kit and want to do something different than the kit decals, this is just what you are looking for. I immediately went out and purchased the Vector set as well. The radar installation is visually interesting to me.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Eagle Editions for the review set and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.