NEWS: LTD Models 1/48 Dewoitine D.520 by Guy Shepherd

Post by **Editor** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:02 pm

Today Guy Shepherd brings us his beautiful 1/48 LTD Models Dewoitine D.520 in Regia Aeronatica service.

Click the image to view:

Enjoy,

warhawk · Post by **warhawk** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:01 am

This is a beautifully painted and weathered model; but unfortunately the impression is somewhat lowered by the poor quality of the photos.
My suggestion is a simple one-color background (with no texture, cause it ruins the detail of the model) and better lighting (coming from behind, above or side of the camera)

No negative comments on the quality of Guy's model!

Kind Regards,
Aleksandar

Vincent Biondi · Post by **Vincent Biondi** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:50 pm

Hello Guy,
Now, that's a real beauty!!
Great job, love the paint scheme.
Vincent.

fredleander · Post by **fredleander** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:28 am

I am interested to know how the D.520 came into Italian service. Great model, BTW!

Fred

Post by **Editor** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:34 pm

Fred, because of the Allied landings in French North Africa (Operation Torch) on 10 November 1942, Italy and Germany both entered the Zone Non Occupe in France. On 27 November 1942 an order was issued that disbanded the Vichy armed forces and at the conclusion of a series of meetings between Italian and German senior officers in Paris on 10-12 Dec 1942 it was agreed to coordinate the disarmament and demobilization process of the French armed forces and to recover as much equipment as possible. The Italian zone of occupation included Provence where most of the equipment was recovered. By 31 July 1943, the Italians had flown back to Italy 125 aircraft: 35 D.520, 25 MS.406, 23 LeO 451, 14 Bre 693/5, 15 P.63.11, 9 C 445, I NA 57, 2 LN 411 and 1 P.631. Another 10 D.520, 3 Nardi 305 and 16 Ca 164 were shipped via rail. Another 30 D.520s were handed over to the Italians by the Germans in exchange for their production quota of LeO 451 (30) as well as a DC-3 of Ala Littoria with 5 spare Wright Cyclone engines. In total the Italians recovered 75 D.520s. It was determined that the D.520 was the only plane combat worthy and in particular because of its HS 12 Y-45 20mm canon for use against US bombers. So as you can see by that stage of the war, the Italians were more concerned with defense of the Homeland than offensive operations as reflected by their willingness to trade the same number of new bombers (which cost 3 times as much as a new fighter) for older fighters.