Difference between revisions of "D.520 (Great Britain)"
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{{About | {{About | ||
− | | about = gift British fighter | + | | about = gift British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}''' |
− | | usage = | + | | usage = other versions |
− | | link = D.520 | + | | link = D.520 (Family) |
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{Specs-Card | ||
+ | |code=d_520 | ||
+ | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--''In the description, the first part | + | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> |
+ | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27 as a premium pack vehicle, but was removed after [[wt:en/news/5079-special-hurry-up-and-get-rare-packs-en|War Thunder's 5th Anniversary sale]]. It is currently impossible to obtain this vehicle since the introduction of its counterpart, the [[D.520]], in the French aviation tree in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]]. | ||
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== General info == | == General info == | ||
− | === Flight | + | === Flight performance === |
− | <!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. | + | {{Specs-Avia-Flight}} |
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | <!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' --> |
− | + | ||
− | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%" | |
− | + | ! rowspan="2" | Characteristics | |
− | ! | ||
− | |||
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,000 m) | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,000 m) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>( | + | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres) |
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ||
− | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>( | + | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second) |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>( | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres) |
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− | ! | + | ! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB |
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! Stock |
− | + | | 529 || 515 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.1 || 21.9 || 7.1 || 7.1 || rowspan="2" | 300 | |
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|- | |- | ||
− | |572||550|| | + | ! Upgraded |
+ | | 572 || 550 || 19.0 || 20.0 || 13.6 || 10.0 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ====Details==== | + | ==== Details ==== |
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="5" | Features | ! colspan="5" | Features | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Combat | + | ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear |
− | ! Take-off | ||
− | ! Landing | ||
− | ! Air brakes | ||
− | ! Arrestor gear | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ --> | | ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ --> | ||
Line 70: | Line 47: | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="7" | Limits |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | | + | ! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h) |
− | ! rowspan="2" | Gear | + | ! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h) |
− | ! | + | ! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h) |
! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! - |
− | ! - | ||
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− | ! | ||
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− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | < | + | | 800 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 385 || 365 || 280 || ~12 || ~9 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 101: | Line 64: | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h) |
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|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator |
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | < 370 || < 400 || < 430 || > 340 | |
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|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
− | <!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''--> | + | {{Specs-Avia-Armour}} |
+ | <!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | ||
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot. | * 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot. | ||
Line 137: | Line 81: | ||
* Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls) | * Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls) | ||
* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage | * More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Modifications and economy === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Armaments}} | ||
=== Offensive armament === | === Offensive armament === | ||
− | <!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''--> | + | {{Specs-Avia-Offensive}} |
− | + | <!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' --> | |
{{main|Hispano 404 (20 mm)|MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)}} | {{main|Hispano 404 (20 mm)|MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)}} | ||
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with: | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with: | ||
+ | |||
* 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg) | * 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg) | ||
− | * 4 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine | + | * 4 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (675 rpg = 2,700 total) |
+ | |||
+ | == Usage in battles == | ||
+ | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | ||
− | + | The main purpose of the D.520 is the role of an interceptor/fighter. It has no suspended armament capability and thus is limited to aerial combat. In this respect, there are a few things to consider, first and foremost that this is a fighter that does not do great away from a squad. It has mediocre flight characteristics as far as speed, climb and turn are concerned. It is however quite well armoured to compensate for such, meaning that it will stay airworthy where other aircraft would crash, and instead stands a fighter which is effective in engagements where it has support to rely on. Without such support, it is a very situational plane which can engage certain enemies depending on advantage in altitude, speed, or sometimes even a turning radius. It has a respectable armament of one powerful Hispano 20 mm cannon with a very limited ammunition load (60 rounds), and four 7.5 mm machine guns with a good deal of ammunition which makes it competitive in realistic battles. Its strong airframe is able to withstand significant wind resistance making it potent in a longer dive. Despite its limited attributes, it handles fairly comfortably and thus can be a real asset to a pilot which employs situational awareness combined with an in-depth understanding of the enemy aircraft he will choose to either engage or avoid. It has a potent incendiary tracer round for its machine guns and the Hispano makes it pack a fairly significant punch despite its limited cannon ammunition. The D.520 is best considered a heavier single-seat fighter aircraft which can out-endure other enemy squads due to its armour, but not outturn, outrun, outgun many other types of aircraft at its own rank. | |
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− | ===Manual Engine Control=== | + | === Manual Engine Control === |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Mixer | + | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Pitch | + | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch |
− | ! colspan="3" |Radiator | + | ! colspan="3" | Radiator |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Supercharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger |
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|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! Oil !! Water !! Type | |
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|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable |
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|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | <!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
− | * Powerful | + | * Powerful 20 mm cannon |
* Good fighter armament | * Good fighter armament | ||
* Plenty of ammo for the machine-guns | * Plenty of ammo for the machine-guns | ||
Line 222: | Line 132: | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * Neither very manoeuvrable | + | * Neither very manoeuvrable nor very fast |
− | * Very little ammo for the | + | * Very little ammo for the 20 mm cannon (60 rounds) |
* Relatively poor rate of climb | * Relatively poor rate of climb | ||
* Very situational aircraft | * Very situational aircraft | ||
Line 229: | Line 139: | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
− | <!-- Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
Production-standard armament consisted of a 20 mm HS.404, with an ammunition capacity of 60 rounds, firing through the propeller hub, and four belt-fed MAC 1934 M39 7.5 mm (.295 in) machine guns in the wings, each with 675 rounds per gun. The MAC 1934 machine guns had a high rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute (rpm), while the effective HS.404 fired at 600 rpm and was accurate up to 500 m (1,600 ft); the ammunition capacity meant that the machine guns could be fired for a total of 30 seconds, while the cannon had 10 seconds worth of ammunition. In combat the MS.406 had only two 7.5 mm and was, therefore, at a disadvantage when the HS.404 had used up its ammunition, while a D.520 could continue to fight effectively because it had four fast-firing machine guns (over 80 rounds/sec), with 20+ seconds of ammunition still available. The D.520 had provisions for two BE33 "illuminating bombs", useful for nocturnal interception missions, but these were seldom used because French fighters rarely flew night-time missions. | Production-standard armament consisted of a 20 mm HS.404, with an ammunition capacity of 60 rounds, firing through the propeller hub, and four belt-fed MAC 1934 M39 7.5 mm (.295 in) machine guns in the wings, each with 675 rounds per gun. The MAC 1934 machine guns had a high rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute (rpm), while the effective HS.404 fired at 600 rpm and was accurate up to 500 m (1,600 ft); the ammunition capacity meant that the machine guns could be fired for a total of 30 seconds, while the cannon had 10 seconds worth of ammunition. In combat the MS.406 had only two 7.5 mm and was, therefore, at a disadvantage when the HS.404 had used up its ammunition, while a D.520 could continue to fight effectively because it had four fast-firing machine guns (over 80 rounds/sec), with 20+ seconds of ammunition still available. The D.520 had provisions for two BE33 "illuminating bombs", useful for nocturnal interception missions, but these were seldom used because French fighters rarely flew night-time missions. | ||
− | + | {{break}} | |
− | The Dewoitine D.520 was a French single-seat, all-metal, monoplane fighter which first entered service in 1940. In 1936 the French | + | {{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}} |
+ | {{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}} | ||
+ | The Dewoitine D.520 was a French single-seat, all-metal, monoplane fighter which first entered service in 1940. In 1936 the French Armée de l'Air stated a requirement for a cannon armed fighter capable of speeds of 500 km/h. Emile Dewoitine began work on a design to meet this criteria and a prototype D.520-01 conducted its first test flight on October 2nd 1938. After some initial teething problems, the first production run was started in October 1939. In April 1940 the first D.520s were declared operational in Groupe de Chasse 1/3, a Groupe which already included a good number of combat experienced pilots. | ||
− | The Dewoitine D.520 was powered by a liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza HS12Y-45 engine, rated at 920 hp. Its armament comprised of one Hispano-Suiza HS404 | + | The Dewoitine D.520 was powered by a liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza HS12Y-45 engine, rated at 920 hp. Its armament comprised of one Hispano-Suiza HS404 20 mm cannon with 60 rounds and four belt-fed MAC 1934 M39 7.5 mm machine guns in the wings with 675 rounds each. |
− | The outbreak of war had made any further refinement of the aircraft impossible, and as a result production commenced with minimal delays, leaving no time for proposed improvements to be implemented. Instead, upgrades would be made during production, as time allowed. The production model had a redesigned carburettor air intake and a modified cooling system for the engine. Later D.520s featured jet exhaust pipes. The production model was sometimes referred to as the D.520S ( | + | The outbreak of war had made any further refinement of the aircraft impossible, and as a result production commenced with minimal delays, leaving no time for proposed improvements to be implemented. Instead, upgrades would be made during production, as time allowed. The production model had a redesigned carburettor air intake and a modified cooling system for the engine. Later D.520s featured jet exhaust pipes. The production model was sometimes referred to as the D.520S ("serial") or the D.520C1 ("chausser 1" - single-seat fighter). |
The Dewoitine D.520 flew its first operational sorties in May 1940 and the majority of its victories (18 confirmed kills) were achieved by one of the leading French aces, Adjudant-Chief (then Sous-Lieutenant) Pierre Le Gloan from GC III/6. Production of the D.520 was halted when France surrendered in the summer of 1940 and then restarted under German occupation in April of 1941. | The Dewoitine D.520 flew its first operational sorties in May 1940 and the majority of its victories (18 confirmed kills) were achieved by one of the leading French aces, Adjudant-Chief (then Sous-Lieutenant) Pierre Le Gloan from GC III/6. Production of the D.520 was halted when France surrendered in the summer of 1940 and then restarted under German occupation in April of 1941. | ||
Line 244: | Line 156: | ||
From September 1942, the D.520 was the main fighter of Vichy France; the puppet French government who now collaborated with Nazi Germany. From April 1941 onward D.520s took part in clashes with British forces in Lebanon and Syria. In November of 1942, some D.520s joined la France Libre and fought for the Allies in North Africa. The D.520 also served with the Luftwaffe, and the Germans supplied the fighters to their allies in Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania. | From September 1942, the D.520 was the main fighter of Vichy France; the puppet French government who now collaborated with Nazi Germany. From April 1941 onward D.520s took part in clashes with British forces in Lebanon and Syria. In November of 1942, some D.520s joined la France Libre and fought for the Allies in North Africa. The D.520 also served with the Luftwaffe, and the Germans supplied the fighters to their allies in Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania. | ||
− | The Dewoitine D.520 is considered by many to be the best French fighter of World War II. Its initial competition included the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt 109, although its handling characteristics and performance were inferior to both. One senior British test pilot described it as underpowered, | + | The Dewoitine D.520 is considered by many to be the best French fighter of World War II. Its initial competition included the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt 109, although its handling characteristics and performance were inferior to both. One senior British test pilot described it as underpowered, 'a nasty little brute' to fly and markedly inferior to both the Spitfire and Hurricane. |
− | D.520 fighters were mass manufactured intermittently until June 1944 and in all 610 were produced. The last D.520s, used as trainers, were retired by the | + | D.520 fighters were mass manufactured intermittently until June 1944 and in all 610 were produced. The last D.520s, used as trainers, were retired by the Armée de l'Air in September 1953. |
+ | {{Navigation-End}} | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | ||
− | |||
− | = | + | ;Skins |
− | + | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=d_520 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | |
+ | ;Videos | ||
+ | {{Youtube-gallery|xfhULunUBns|'''Sub's Choice Ep 17: D.520''' - ''Jengar''|EzuojV4HqHg|'''Pages of History: D.520''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == 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;'' | * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;'' | ||
− | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees | + | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> |
− | |||
− | + | * [[D.520]] | |
− | |||
+ | == External links == | ||
+ | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | * '' | + | * ''other literature.'' --> |
− | * | + | |
+ | * [[wt:en/news/876--en|[Special] First Flight of Dewoitine D.520]] | ||
{{AirManufacturer Dewoitine}} | {{AirManufacturer Dewoitine}} | ||
{{Britain fighters}} | {{Britain fighters}} | ||
{{Britain premium aircraft}} | {{Britain premium aircraft}} |
Latest revision as of 17:59, 17 February 2023
This page is about the gift British fighter D.520 (Great Britain). For other versions, see D.520 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The ▄D.520 is a premium gift rank II British fighter with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB) and 2.3 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27 as a premium pack vehicle, but was removed after War Thunder's 5th Anniversary sale. It is currently impossible to obtain this vehicle since the introduction of its counterpart, the D.520, in the French aviation tree in Update 1.73 "Vive la France".
General info
Flight performance
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 | 529 | 515 | 11200 | 21.1 | 21.9 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 300 |
Upgraded | 572 | 550 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 13.6 | 10.0 |
Details
Features | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
Limits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
800 | 320 | 385 | 365 | 280 | ~12 | ~9 |
Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
< 370 | < 400 | < 430 | > 340 |
Survivability and armour
- 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
- 8 mm Steel plate behind pilot.
- 3 mm Steel box behind pilot's head.
- Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
- More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Offensive armament
The D.520 (Great Britain) is armed with:
- 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
- 4 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (675 rpg = 2,700 total)
Usage in battles
The main purpose of the D.520 is the role of an interceptor/fighter. It has no suspended armament capability and thus is limited to aerial combat. In this respect, there are a few things to consider, first and foremost that this is a fighter that does not do great away from a squad. It has mediocre flight characteristics as far as speed, climb and turn are concerned. It is however quite well armoured to compensate for such, meaning that it will stay airworthy where other aircraft would crash, and instead stands a fighter which is effective in engagements where it has support to rely on. Without such support, it is a very situational plane which can engage certain enemies depending on advantage in altitude, speed, or sometimes even a turning radius. It has a respectable armament of one powerful Hispano 20 mm cannon with a very limited ammunition load (60 rounds), and four 7.5 mm machine guns with a good deal of ammunition which makes it competitive in realistic battles. Its strong airframe is able to withstand significant wind resistance making it potent in a longer dive. Despite its limited attributes, it handles fairly comfortably and thus can be a real asset to a pilot which employs situational awareness combined with an in-depth understanding of the enemy aircraft he will choose to either engage or avoid. It has a potent incendiary tracer round for its machine guns and the Hispano makes it pack a fairly significant punch despite its limited cannon ammunition. The D.520 is best considered a heavier single-seat fighter aircraft which can out-endure other enemy squads due to its armour, but not outturn, outrun, outgun many other types of aircraft at its own rank.
Manual Engine Control
MEC elements | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
Oil | Water | Type | ||||
Controllable | Controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Not auto controlled |
Separate | Not controllable 1 gear |
Not controllable |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Powerful 20 mm cannon
- Good fighter armament
- Plenty of ammo for the machine-guns
- Very incendiary ammunition for its tracer ammunition
- Fairly good armour
Cons:
- Neither very manoeuvrable nor very fast
- Very little ammo for the 20 mm cannon (60 rounds)
- Relatively poor rate of climb
- Very situational aircraft
- Takes a lot of machine gun rounds to shoot down an enemy plane when you run out of cannon ammo
History
Production-standard armament consisted of a 20 mm HS.404, with an ammunition capacity of 60 rounds, firing through the propeller hub, and four belt-fed MAC 1934 M39 7.5 mm (.295 in) machine guns in the wings, each with 675 rounds per gun. The MAC 1934 machine guns had a high rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute (rpm), while the effective HS.404 fired at 600 rpm and was accurate up to 500 m (1,600 ft); the ammunition capacity meant that the machine guns could be fired for a total of 30 seconds, while the cannon had 10 seconds worth of ammunition. In combat the MS.406 had only two 7.5 mm and was, therefore, at a disadvantage when the HS.404 had used up its ammunition, while a D.520 could continue to fight effectively because it had four fast-firing machine guns (over 80 rounds/sec), with 20+ seconds of ammunition still available. The D.520 had provisions for two BE33 "illuminating bombs", useful for nocturnal interception missions, but these were seldom used because French fighters rarely flew night-time missions.
Archive of the in-game description | |
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The Dewoitine D.520 was a French single-seat, all-metal, monoplane fighter which first entered service in 1940. In 1936 the French Armée de l'Air stated a requirement for a cannon armed fighter capable of speeds of 500 km/h. Emile Dewoitine began work on a design to meet this criteria and a prototype D.520-01 conducted its first test flight on October 2nd 1938. After some initial teething problems, the first production run was started in October 1939. In April 1940 the first D.520s were declared operational in Groupe de Chasse 1/3, a Groupe which already included a good number of combat experienced pilots. The Dewoitine D.520 was powered by a liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza HS12Y-45 engine, rated at 920 hp. Its armament comprised of one Hispano-Suiza HS404 20 mm cannon with 60 rounds and four belt-fed MAC 1934 M39 7.5 mm machine guns in the wings with 675 rounds each. The outbreak of war had made any further refinement of the aircraft impossible, and as a result production commenced with minimal delays, leaving no time for proposed improvements to be implemented. Instead, upgrades would be made during production, as time allowed. The production model had a redesigned carburettor air intake and a modified cooling system for the engine. Later D.520s featured jet exhaust pipes. The production model was sometimes referred to as the D.520S ("serial") or the D.520C1 ("chausser 1" - single-seat fighter). The Dewoitine D.520 flew its first operational sorties in May 1940 and the majority of its victories (18 confirmed kills) were achieved by one of the leading French aces, Adjudant-Chief (then Sous-Lieutenant) Pierre Le Gloan from GC III/6. Production of the D.520 was halted when France surrendered in the summer of 1940 and then restarted under German occupation in April of 1941. From September 1942, the D.520 was the main fighter of Vichy France; the puppet French government who now collaborated with Nazi Germany. From April 1941 onward D.520s took part in clashes with British forces in Lebanon and Syria. In November of 1942, some D.520s joined la France Libre and fought for the Allies in North Africa. The D.520 also served with the Luftwaffe, and the Germans supplied the fighters to their allies in Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania. The Dewoitine D.520 is considered by many to be the best French fighter of World War II. Its initial competition included the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt 109, although its handling characteristics and performance were inferior to both. One senior British test pilot described it as underpowered, 'a nasty little brute' to fly and markedly inferior to both the Spitfire and Hurricane. D.520 fighters were mass manufactured intermittently until June 1944 and in all 610 were produced. The last D.520s, used as trainers, were retired by the Armée de l'Air in September 1953. |
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Dewoitine (SNCAM/SNCASE) | |
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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 |
Britain premium aircraft | |
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Fighters | Tuck's Gladiator Mk II · ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II · ▄D.520 |
▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄Corsair F Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II · ▄Thunderbolt Mk.1 · ▄Mustang Mk IA | |
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Typhoon Mk Ib · MB.5 | |
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Harrier GR.1 · Strikemaster Mk.88 | |
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