by Chris Banyai-Riepl

So you’ve bought that Tamiya He219, and you’ve been itching to build it, but you want to do something different from everyone else. You’ve been going through dozens of references, looking for that one interesting and unique paint scheme, only to find that you have a choice of light gray with dark gray spots or, well, light gray with dark gray spots. You’re probably thinking of just putting it back in the closet and doing something else, but wait! CMK has come to the rescue! They have come out with no less that three detail sets for the Tamiya kit, giving you plenty of resin bits and pieces to set your He219 apart from the rest.

The first set is the interior set, and when they say interior, they mean INTERIOR. Not only do you get a complete cockpit, but you also get resin wheel well plugs and both wing root gun bays. The detail is excellent, and the Tamiya seat faux pas has been corrected. Photo etched brass provides floor and sidewall detail, while a very thin, clear vacuformed canopy makes it all very visible. The wing root cannons are nicely done, and having these opened up will add a small bit of variance to the usual Uhu fare.

But anyone can do those cannon bays with what’s in the kit, you say. It’s even been shown here at Internet Modeler. A nice cockpit and gun bays, while nice, really won’t set your Owl apart very much. Not to fear, just get the second CMK detail set: the engines. Engines? Oh, yes, engines. They give you BOTH engines, plus all the plumbing and hatches to go with it. Each engine comes with a one-piece engine block, with 9 other parts to put on it to make it complete. This is then mounted to the rear firewall, and all the engine hatches are secured around it. The exhaust flame dampeners alone are worth it, as they are incredibly well molded. Photo etch brass provides the interior to the cowl flaps. All told, there is almost 60 pieces in this detail set, more than enough to set your Heinkel apart from the rest.

Now you’re thinking that your He219 is going to be the talk of the town. Highly detailed cockpit, open gun bays, both engines hanging out….but why not go ALL the way? Enter set number 3: the exterior set. CMK finishes off the Tamiya Owl with a full set of flying surfaces. You can offset the rudders, drop the elevators, and twist the ailerons. All cast in resin with razor-thin trailing edges. Following on their first two sets of cutting things open, this set also includes the dinghy that is stored in the rear fuselage, as well as a set of resin main wheels.

With these three sets, you can take your boring He219 and add some life to it. Make it stand out from all the other light gray with dark gray spotted He219s out there. Sure, it will take a little longer to do, but it will be worth it. Hatches open everywhere, flying surfaces drooped naturally, and a cockpit that looks like it could really fly will make you start thinking about a diorama. Hmmm, that old Bandai 1/48 armor is sitting in the kit closet...