Uhu: Heinkel He 219

Designed specifically to counter the Royal Air Force's growing night-bombing offensive, the He 219 introduced several revolutionary features:

: It was the first operational military aircraft to be equipped with ejection seats as a standard feature, allowing the crew to escape high-speed maneuvers or combat damage. Heinkel He 219 Uhu

: The Uhu carried the sophisticated Lichtenstein SN-2 VHF-band radar , enabling its two-man crew to hunt down Allied bombers in total darkness. Performance and Combat Legacy Designed specifically to counter the Royal Air Force's

The Heinkel He 219 Uhu (Eagle Owl) remains one of the most intriguing and technologically advanced aircraft of World War II. Despite being produced in limited numbers—only about 294 were built—this German night fighter was a pioneer of aviation safety and radar-intercept technology. Advanced Engineering and "Firsts" Despite being produced in limited numbers—only about 294

For modern aviation enthusiasts, the best place to see a surviving Uhu is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which houses a partially restored He 219 A-2.