Dewoitine D.520

The Dewoitine D.520 was a French fighter aircraft that entered service in early 1940, shortly after the beginning of the Second World War.

Variants

D.520

The main production version, sometimes designated the D.520 S or the D.520 C1.

Direct derivatives

In 1940, SNCAM had several projects to fit the D.520 airframe with more powerful engines. These developments were halted by the June armistice.

D.521

engine replaced by a Rolls-Royce Merlin III, one example was built, but the project was cancelled.

D.522

engine replaced by an Allison V-1710 C-1, project abandoned after the armistice (22 June 1940).

D.523

engine replaced by slightly different sub-variants of the 820 kW (1,100 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y-51, with Szydlowski-Planiol supercharger.

D.523 Prototype was completing pre-production trials in June 1940.

D.524

Version powered by Hispano-Suiza 12Y-89ter engine. One prototype built, but it never flew.

D.525

development version of the D.523

D.530

planned version with a 1,044 kW (1,400 hp) Rolls-Royce Merlin or a 1,342 kW (1,800 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Y.

Related pre-war projects

HD.780

Floatplane derivative of the D.520, one prototype built, but it never flew, the development was cancelled with the armistice.

D.790

Carrier-borne derivative project, none built.

D.550

Unarmed aircraft built for speed record attempt, with an airframe loosely based on the D.520, but using weight-saving construction techniques.

One example was built.

D.551 & D.552

Military developments of the D.550.

12 examples were built, but none flew.

The development was resumed in 1941, but was quickly terminated by the Germans.

Post-armistice developments

Several projects were initiated after the June 1940 armistice.

They were all terminated with the German occupation of Southern France in November 1942.

D.520 amélioré

Single production D.520 experimentally fitted with minor improvements to improve top speed with an unchanged engine.

D.520 Z

D.520 airframe with 12Z engine and minor improvements.

One example was built.

The development resumed after the war (as SE.520Z), but was eventually cancelled in 1949.

M.520 T

Different airframe loosely based on the D.520. None built.

Post-war derivative

D.520 DC

(double command – dual control)

Two-seat trainer conversion.

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)

Wingspan

10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)

Height

2.57 m (8 ft 5 in)

Wing area

15.87 m2 (170.8 sq ft)

Empty weight

2,123 kg (4,680 lb)

Gross weight

2,677 kg (5,902 lb)

Max take-off weight

2,785 kg (6,140 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Y-49 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 710 kW (950 hp)

Propellers

3-bladed Chauvière type 3918, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter pneumatically operated variable-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed

560 km/h (350 mph, 300 kn)

Range

1,250 km (780 mi, 670 nmi)

Service ceiling

10,000 m (33,000 ft)

Rate of climb

14.3 m/s (2,810 ft/min)

Wing loading

167 kg/m2 (34 lb/sq ft)

Power/mass

0.257 kW/kg (0.156 hp/lb)

Armament

Guns

1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Hispano-Suiza HS.404 (60-round drum) cannon

4 × 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 (675 rpg) machine guns.