NEW AND IN VIEW
FROG (I.M.A.) Heinkel He.219 A-7/R4. 1/72nd scale.

Frog are to be congratulated not only in the choice of their latest release but also in the many improvements incorporated in it, from the greatly improved artwork on the box top to the inclusion of swastikas in the transfer sheet.

The box shows the aircraft in two finishes, transfers applicable to each being supplied with the kit; that of an early production aircraft in natural metal with the codes G9+FB and an alternative in the later night-fighter camouflage. We wouldf however, point out that the scheme shown, although correct in style, is not correctly painted; the original scheme was a very light grey (R.L.M. No.76) with a dark grey mottle (No.74) applied over the upper surfaces, A pre-production He 219A-0/R2, coded G9+FB, was flown operationally by Major Streib when he was Kommnodore of NJG.l (it was in this aircraft that he enjoyed such startling success on its first operational sortie, and which he wrote off when returning from the same mission). A natural metal finish is not unlikely from the photographs available of this first G9+FB: it is also possible that the spinners were halved horizontally in Stab Green (to match letter 'F' on transfer sheet) and white.

Streib subsequently flew 219A-7/R4s in the camouflage finish described above, so the transfers could be used on the camouflaged version also. Though v/e cannot confirm the spinner colours of his later aircraft it would seem probable that Green/White was used again.

To return to the kit, this is moulded in rather bright blue with excellent panel and rivet detc.il which is kept to an accurate minimum. All parts are very cleanly moulded, and their fit is beyond criticism. The cockpit canopy is also of excellent quality and fit, and although internal detail is a little sparse the seat shapes and sizes are correct; unfortunately the 'correctly dressed pilot and navigator' turn out to be the usual emaciated mini-martians common to earlier Frog kits.

The spinner shape is perhaps slightly too tapered and the nose wheel oleo should be of the caliper type, not as moulded with the axle offset to one side. Apart from this criticism, this is a really superb kit which makes up into a most realistic model.
C.B.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.3 No.10, OCTOBER 1966

SCALE COMMENTS
by J. D. McHard
Editor of Meccano Magazine

Out on September 1st—the Frog kit of the Heinkel 219 'Uhu' (Owl). The advance mouldings indicate a nice kit of a unique prototype. Its numerous and inevitably delicate radar aerials that sprout from nose and tail make this model vulnerable to clumsy fingers, but it's encouraging to note that Frog have resisted the temptation to beef-up and coarsen these very characteristic spidery protrusions. The 219 transfer sheet is matt, and has two sets of markings complete with swastikas!

AeroModeller SEPTEMBER 1966 Vol.XXXI No.368

NEW AND IN VIEW
REVELL Heinkel He219A-5/R2. Scale 1/72nd price 8/6d. (U.K.)

This is a most striking kit. The quality of the plastic is complimented by really excellent detail work; the rivet and panel lines are as near to scale as one could wish, and every component fits without recourse to trimming.

Internal detail is limited to floor and seats, but reference to Green's 'Famous Fighters Vol.2' will provide some further indication as to what was visible; in this connection the bulkhead between pilot and radar operator/ navigator included in the kit is too thick, but this is the only real fault we could find. It is exceptionally difficult to check whether the general airframe shape is accurate, as little exists in the way of drawings, but as far as we have been able to ascertain the completed model is truly representative of the type. The radar array included is correct for the He219A-5/R2, that shown on the box lid being applicable to a different sub type.

The decals, which reproduce the markings of Kommandeur Jabs, who took over the famed NJG.l unit from Werner Streib, are flat matt and include the codes G9+AB: the A is in the Stab Green colour though this is fractionally too pale. The only error is that the letter A which was painted below the starboard wing-tip, should be BLACK and not green as given, but in all other respects the sheet is accurate, though it is doubtful that the Komnandeur Chevron was ever carried by Jabs or any other staff aircrew. One final note concerning its camouflage: most 219fs were actually painted overall Light Grey No.76 (to KLM Specs) with Dark Grey 74 or 75 mottle over this and not in the Hellblau (light blue) 65 as suggested by the box art and instructions. All internal areas were RLM Grey 02, instrument panels and consoles being matt black.
C.B.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.3 No.10, OCTOBER 1966

LINDBERG. Heinkel He 219. 1/72 scale. Price $1.00 (U. S. A.)

Lindberg continue their range of l/72nd kits with another German type, the Heinkel 219 night fighter. We have not been able to ascertain what drawings and reference material were used in the design of this kit and therefore cannot say with certainty which variant of the Uhu it represents. The outline shape is generally accurate, however, and the model closely resembles the fifth prototype. We are awaiting clarification from the kit manufacturers regarding this.

The kit is very neatly moulded in medium green plastic, and the panel and rivet detail is both fine and accurate. The cockpit canopy is very good indeed, being an excellent fit and very clear. The cowlings, on the other hand, leave much to be desired; the cooling gills look more like air intakes, and the propeller blades and spinners appear to be slightly undersize. Decals, as is usual with Lindberg kits, are minimal, consisting only of black silhouette-style crosses and the spurious code letters QT+N (green) Y. As Y is the identification letter for 15 Staffel/V Gruppe the letter N should be yellow, but even if it was, no night fighter unit using He 219's ever had a 15th Staffel'.

Once again,however, price raises its ugly head. Kits selling at 1 dollar in the U.S.A. will cost 15/-d. or more in the U.K. and therefore this model cannot be competitive when compared with the earlier Frog or Revell offerings. Those with deep pockets may, however, wish to buy it and combine it with parts from the Frog or Revell products to make a really good He 219. The Lindberg kit is simpler than either, which reduces the need for filling and filing the various joint lines, thus producing a better model with less trouble.

The IPMS magazine Vol.5 No.1, JANUARY 1968

MODELLING
W R MATTHEWS
HE 219 BY LiNDBERG

The Luftwaffe's formidable Heinkel He 219 night fighter, although manufactured in relatively small numbers, would seem to have blossomed as a subject for kit manufacturers, the third kit of this warplane to appear on the market having now been issued to 1/72nd scale by Lindberg. As is unfortunately too often the case with kits from this manufacturer, this is a somewhat disappointing product. Though neat and finely detailed, it simply does not attain an acceptable standard of accuracy. The engine nacelles in particular leave much to be desired, the radiators being too tapered and the nacelle tails being too slim. No attempt has been made to provide either the Hirshgeweih (Stag's Antlers) array for the Lichtenstein SN-2 or the wing aerials for the FuG 217R Neptun. Nor is there any tail warning array, and the only gesture by Lindberg towards admitting that the He 219 was radar-equipped takes the form of four rudimentary stubs on the nose.

The colour scheme illustrated by the box art appears accurate, and the style of cross provided by the decal sheet is correct, but the four-letter radio call sign would not have included a green third letter! Though not expensive at $1.00 in the USA, this kit is not to be recommended as a markedly superior kit of the He 219 is readily available.

RAF Flying Review June, 1968, Vol. 23, No. 10