The Dewoitine D.520 was perhaps the best French fighter during the Battle of France. After the Armistice with Germany was signed in June 1940 a large number served in the Vichy air force until it was disbanded in November 1942.

At the beginning of the Battle of France on 10 May 1940 228 Dewoitine 520s had been manufactured and 75 taken into service.

Although several groups began conversion to it during the Battle they were unable to effect the course of the fighting.

As the situation worsened many were flown to safety in French possessions in North Africa and became part of the Vichy air force when it was formed after the Armistice.

During the Vichy period 332 more Dewoitines were constructed and it became the main fighter in Vichy air forces.

This model represents a Dewoitine 520 of Escadrille 2AC, Aeronautique navale (Vichy) in Algeria, 1941

Hobby Boss 1/72 kit with Carpena decals. Completed in December 2007.