D.501

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VTOL | Rank 5 USA
AV-8A Harrier Pack
D.501
d_501.png
GarageImage D.501.jpg
ArtImage D.501.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/7/7a/Cockpit_d_501.jpg
D.501
AB RB SB
1.7 1.3 1.3
Class:
Research:1 500 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The D.501 was a subvariant of the D.500 series of aircraft developed by the French Air Ministry in the early 1930s. The D.501 used a different powerplant and armament compared to the D.500, instead of the regular Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs engine, it used the 12Xcrs, that allowed mounting a more powerful armament, in the form of a 20 mm cannon as well as a couple of machine guns. For the time of its introduction, autocannons were very rare in regular fighters, since most used a pair of light machine guns, as such the armament could be considered one of the best for its time. A total of 160 D.501s were produced by the time of WWII, with a very limited service in the front line.

It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France". The D.501 is an all-metal mono-wing aircraft with an open cockpit and fixed landing gear. Built in the mid 1930s, it was one of the main French fighter aircraft until it was replaced by Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 aircraft in 1939. When playing SB (or AB and RB in cockpit view) this aircraft offers excellent visibility, only limited by the position of the wings. This aircraft has 600 rounds of ammunition between two machine guns and 60 rounds of 20 mm ammunition. This aircraft can really do some damage when gun convergence is set between 250 and 350 m.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 5 000 m363 km/h
Turn time13 s
Max altitude9 000 m
EngineHispano-Suiza 12Xbrs
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight2 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 352 346 9000 13.7 14.3 10.5 10.5 150
Upgraded 375 363 12.4 13.0 14.7 12.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
576 577 - - - ~13 ~8
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 320 < 330 < 360 > 280

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear577 km/h
  • 3 mm Steel plate behind engine
  • 3 mm Steel plate on pilot's seat
  • Open cockpit
  • Fuel tanks are not self-sealing (1 beneath pilot's feet, in in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB113 → 150 Sl icon.png
RB150 → 200 Sl icon.png
SB106 → 141 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 970 Rp icon.png
885 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 20 / 60 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
65 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
65 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
7_5mm_belt_pack
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
mac39_new_gun
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
65 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
75 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_404_new_gun
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition60 rounds
Fire rate700 shots/min
Ammunition600 rounds
Fire rate1 350 shots/min

The D.501 is armed with:

  • 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
  • 2 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

The single Hispano 404 cannon is mounted centrally in the fuselage while each of the MAC 1934 machine guns are mounted on the underside of the wing. Each of the machine guns are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that they will fire with each other until empty. On the other hand, the cannon only has 60 rounds of ammunition and if fired at the same time and at the same rate as the machine guns, it will run out of ammo first.

Usage in battles

The D.501 is a French fighter which can be utilized for air-to-air combat or ground attack on light ground units (armoured vehicles and mobile AAA units). Good speed and manoeuvrability allows this aircraft to use its rudder and ailerons to roll, turn and manoeuvre out of tight spots. When going after ground units, this aircraft can make an attack and then loop up and back over down onto remaining targets with ease. The 20 mm cannon adds an extra punch which many early aircraft do not have and can be used to great effect on other aircraft, including larger bombers. However, thanks to its bad survivability, take care when engaging bombers, and remember: don't get shot at.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Combined Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Strong firepower of the 20 mm cannon is quite devastating for fragile airframes at low BR
  • Nose-centered guns are easy to aim in simulator
  • Agile and effective when turning and looping especially when utilizing the rudder
  • Great over-the-nose visibility allowing easy aiming in a simulator dogfight
  • Easy to control at low speeds meaning forgiving landing characteristics for realistic / simulator
  • Open cockpit allows player to hear outside sounds easily, which is beneficial in noticing nearby enemies
  • Extremely simple to land (fixed landing gear, and no flaps)
  • The 20 mm cannons pierce the roof of low-tier tanks

Cons:

  • Open cockpit (vulnerable to pilot sniping); no rear protection at all for the pilot
  • Low ammo count of only 60 rounds is very unfriendly to beginners / bad aimers
  • Critical components clustered towards front of aircraft (pilot, controls, and fuel)
  • Fixed landing gear creates more drag
  • No flaps, limiting its turning potential

History

Devblog

The D.500 series of aircraft were developed in response to the C1 specification issued by the French Air Ministry in 1930. The specification mostly intended to replace France's inventory of old WW1 and 1920 era aircraft with more modern designs. Famous aircraft designer Émile Dewoitine, submitted his D.500 design and almost immediately caught the attention of the Air Ministry's officials. Shortly after the D.500 had its maiden flight in 1932, an order for 60 aircraft was placed in 1933, 10 of which were for the D.501. In essence, the D.501 was just a subvariant of the D.500. The two major differences lie in the powerplant and armament. Namely, the D.500 used a Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs engine, whilst the D.501 was equipped with a 12Xcrs engine, that allowed for the installation of a 20mm cannon through the propellor hub. This change also caused the removal of the two nose-mounted machine guns from the original layout, found on the D.500. Whilst a single 20mm cannon, paired with a couple machine guns may seem like a laughable setup today, the sheer presence of an autocannon on an aircraft back then was deemed almost as a luxury.

By the outbreak of WW2, aircraft of the D.500 series were more than outdated by machines of other nations, including some of the late 1930s French aircraft, such as the MS.406. The machines rarely saw front line use, instead being relegated to reserve units of the French Air Force and to trainer roles. However, a small number of aircraft did see limited action during the Spanish Civil War, likely being the only recorded combat use of the aircraft. Just under 400 aircraft of the D.500 series were manufactured, around 160 of which were D.501s.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Dewoitine (SNCAM/SNCASE)
Fighters 
D.37  D.371 · D.371 H.S.9 · D.373
D.500  D.500 · D.501 · Pallier's D.510
D.520  D.520 · ▄D.520 · ▄D.521
Export  ␗D.510C

France fighters
Dewoitine  D.371 · D.371 H.S.9 · D.373 · D.500 · D.501 · Pallier's D.510 · D.520
Morane-Saulnier  M.S.405C1 · M.S.406C1 · M.S.410
Arsenal  V.G.33C-1
Bloch  M.B.152C1 · M.B.157
Caudron  C.R.714
Sud-Ouest  S.O.8000 Narval
American  H-75A-1 · H-75A-4 · ▄P-39Q-25 · ▄P-40F-5 Lafayette · ▄P-47D-22-RE · ▄P-63C-5 · F-6C-10-NA
  ▄F6F-5 · ▄F6F-5N · F4U-7 · ▄F8F-1B
Other countries  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III · ▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · NC.900