The Dewoitine D.520 is generally regarded as being the best French fighter in service by early 1940. It was extremely popular with its pilots and remained in production after France surrendered, flying in a number of Axis air forces.

In 1937 Dewoitine began designing a fighter to meet the French Air force request for a new fighter.

The first prototype flew on 2 October 1938 and, when trails were successfully completed in March 1939, 200 were ordered.

The first machine off the production line flew in November 1939 by which time a further 400 had been ordered.

By May 1940 they were being produced at the rate of 10 a day but were in service with only one squadron.

By June many more squadrons had converted onto them but they were too late to change the course of the war.

They remained in production after the Armistice was signed.

This model represents Dewoitine 520 No140 of Escadrille 1AC in France in 1941.

Heller 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 1999.