The D.520 Z was a late-war development of the Dewoitine D.520 fighter intended to significantly improve performance through the installation of a more powerful engine and incremental aerodynamic refinement. The project originated during the German occupation of France and later re-emerged briefly in the post-war reconstruction of the French aviation industry.

The #Dewoitine D.520 Z was a late-war development of the #DewoitineD520 fighter intended to significantly improve performance through the installation of a Hispano-Suiza 12Z engine. www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #fighter #aeroplane #airplane

Dewoitine D.520 DC a two-seat trainer version of the French D.520 fighter

Dewoitine D.520 DC a two-seat trainer version of the French D.520 fighter www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #DewoitineD520 #D520DC #fighter #trainer #aircraft #aviation #aeroplane #airplane

Roughly 60 Dewoitine D.520 fighters entered service with the Regia Aeronautica, taken from captured French stocks. www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aircraft #aeroplane #airplane #RegiaAeronautica #DewoitineD520 #fighter #WorldWarTwo #SecondWorldWar

When Germany invaded Vichy France in November 1942 they captured 246 #DewoitineD520 s Of these #fighter, 96 were sent to Bulgaria and 60 to Italy. The remaining fighters were used as advanced trainers by the #Luftwaffe www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aeroplane #airplane #WWII

Dewoitine D.520 n°302, one of the two D.520s captured by the Free French in the Levant

Dewoitine D.520 n°302, one of the two D.520s captured by the Free French in the Levant www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aeroplane #airplane #DewoitineD520 #fighter #FreeFrench #FreeFrance #WorldWarTwo #SecondWorldWar

#DewoitineD520 #fighters saw extensive action under Vichy control during the Syria–Lebanon campaign though limited logistics and spares constrained sortie rates. www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aeroplane #airplane #vichyfrance

Dewoitine D.520 in French Service Morocco Post-war with unusual striped markings www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aeroplane #airplane #dewoitineD520 #armeedelair #fighter

Bulgaria received around 96 captured French Dewoitine D.520 fighters from Germany in late 1943, using them primarily for defending against Allied bomber raids on Sofia alongside Messerschmitt Bf 109s, proving quite effective despite their obsolescence. These aircraft served in the 6th Fighter Regiment.

Bulgaria received 96 captured French #DewoitineD520 fighters from Germany in late 1943, using them primarily for defending against Allied bomber raids on Sofia alongside Messerschmitt Bf 109s www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #aeroplane #airplane #fighter #BulgarianAirForce #WW2