Thank you to the wonderful folks at Casemate Publishers and to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review these two very timely detailed volumes describing the He-219. The Heinkel 219 Uhu was a highly effective but under-utilized Luftwaffe night fighter, with a variety of innovations including obliquely firing guns and the first operational ejection seats. The two Kagero monographs described here provide an excellent resource for any modeler constructing and replicating this extraordinary aircraft.

• Monograph 49, ISBN 978-83-62878-41-3, Volume 1 (2012), $25.00
• Monograph 50, ISBN 978-83-62878-62-8, Volume 2 (2013), $25.00

These two monographs are paired, yet can be considered as standalone publications. Volume 1 focuses on a thorough background description of the Uhu, and Volume 2 describes its operation history. Both volumes are softbound and printed on A4-size glossy paper with text, b&w photographs, color illustrations of aircraft markings, and superb color renderings of CAD illustrations showing aircraft details. Volume 1 has color photographs of a Uhu currently under restoration at the Smithsonian. While it does not included color photographs, Volume 2 has considerably more CAD artwork than Volume 1. Pullout plans with 5-view drawings and details are included in both volumes, with Volume 1 covering 1/72 and 1/48 scales and Volume 2 covering 1/32. Both pullout plans are printed front and back and have excellent detail and clarity. Operational assessment of Uhu operations are described in the text. According to several reports, the Uhu was surprisingly underpowered, with sometimes fatal quirks during landings and taking-offs. Volume 2 has several descriptions of combat sorties, some of which resulted in attempted use of the ejection system.

A brief summary of each volume’s contents follows:

Vol 1. 96 p.

• Introduction
• Design and development
• Prototypes
• Serial production
• Bibliography
• Endnotes
• B&W 1:72 scale views, detail and engine drawings
• Color rendered CAD drawing
• Color photos of the restoration aircraft in the Smithsonian
• Color side views of 5 aircraft, with two plates of Hptm. Modrow’s plane
• 16.25 x 23.12 inch pullout sheet containing 4-view drawings in 1/72 to complement the drawings on pp. 39-46, and 1/48 5-view drawings

Vol 2. 112 p.

• The He-219 in service with the Luftwaffe
• Bibliography
• B&W photos of operational aircraft
• Color rendered CAD drawings that are all different from Vol 1, with much more emphasis on structural details
• Two views of the “Moskito,” a short-lived competitor to the Uhu
• 32.5 x 23.0 inch pullout sheet containing 5-view drawings in 1/32 scale, with additional detail drawings

Both volumes are an exceptional reference library value. However, the CAD drawings are the true gem in the monographs. I had an initial lukewarm reaction to the CAD drawings, thinking at first that they were colorized and modified photographs. They are not photographs, but are superbly done perspectives from engineering plans. While one could argue this format, there seems to be no doubt that the presentation is based on solid and available information. I found the cockpit illustrations to be particularly helpful. The various equipment arrangements and colors all seem to be accurate, within reason. Furthermore, the 3D illustrations extend the other, more traditional components of the publication into an excellent tool for the modeler.

In conclusion, I believe this monograph pair to be an excellent value. The pullouts are very useful on the bench, as are the volumes themselves. I highly recommend this set if you are researching and/or building an example of the He-219.

Thank you again to Casemate Publishers and IPMS for allowing me to learn about the Uhu and share my thoughts on this set!