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.
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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.
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prototypes...check
out the flaotplane |
historic
photos |
photos
of museum aircraft |
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colour
walkaround photos |
engine
photos |
landing
gear photos |
.................and
so much more....including......
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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
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