Mushroom Model Magazine

Dewoitine D.520

Yellow Series book written by Bartlomiej Belcarz

ISBN # 8389450097    Price  £ 9.99  (GBP)

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Apr 21 2006

 

 

 

This 104 page softcover book from Mushroom Model Magazine is specifically focused on the Dewoitine D.520 in a way that will be appreciated by all scale modellers.  France had the misfortune of being one of the earlier countries to be invaded by Germany in WW2 and this meant that most French aircraft didn't see too much action after the fall of France.  But the French aircraft industry did enter WW2 with it's own versions of the modern fighter aircraft and the most elegant French fighter was the Dewoitine D.520.  Sadly this aircraft wasn't available in sufficient numbers and newly introduced with pilots that weren't fully trained, it was unable to turn back the German invasion.  After the invasion the Dewoitine D.520 attracted the attention of the Luftwaffe and it was put back into production and served as a trainer and with the Italian and Bulgarian airforces as well as being the primary fighter of the Vichy air arm.  

After the liberation of France the Dewoitine D.520 was available in sufficient number to re-equip some French units fighting on the Allied side and continued to serve in the post-war French air Force as a trainer until 1953.  This book is well organized and covers the evolution of the development (including prototypes and projects and even a floatplane version) and the combat use of the Dewoitine D.520.  On June 5 1940 Luftwaffe Ace Hptm. Werner Molders, which should help to demonstrate the abilities of this French aircraft.  The book then goes on to technical data to briefly acquaint the reader with the mechanicals of the aircraft.  Next the book moves onto the 40 page walkaround section and finally finishes up with 23 pages of colour profiles.....including a number in foreign service.  There are also 1/72 scale plans included.

As for images you get:

  • 46 black and white photos, 
  • 89 colour photos, 
  • 20 line drawings, 
  • 23 black and white 3D drawings (including wing and rudder ribbing, main landing gear and bay as well as factory plan/drawings of other areas and more) 
  • 45 sideview colour profiles and 
  • 4 views of the top and/or bottom of these profiles.  

The photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper with good light and easy to make out details in the photos.

Modellers will be pleased to find side view profiles, technical data that explains the different production series of this aircraft as well as detail walkaround photos covering the general aircraft, engine, prop, fuselage, wing, canopy, tail and undercarriage.  This book covers this aircraft well and has most of the details modellers need to get the details correct.  I would have preferred a few more cockpit photos to compliment the few colour cockpit photos in this book.  The colour engine photos were a special treat, but I tend to have a fascination with the mechanical side of all machines.  I was pleased with the extensive walkaround photos of this aircraft.

prototypes...check out the flaotplane historic photos photos of museum aircraft

 

colour walkaround photos engine photos landing gear photos

 

.................and so much more....including......

45 Colour Profiles

The Dewoitine D.520 is an often overlooked aircraft and it's a breath of fresh to see a book covering this aircraft.  I am quite pleased to add this book to my library.....it will prove to be a very helpful book when the time I tackle a Dewoitine D.520 model.  Special thanks to the folks at Mushroom Model Magazine for the review sample and bringing this book to my attention.  You can purchase this book through their secure online webstore at Mushroom Model Magazine or at book stores or in North America through Squadron.com or Platypus Publications in Australia.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford