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 with the French Vichy and other Axis Air Forces.

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

The first Dewoitine 520 flew on 2 October 1938 and the first production machine flew in November 1939.

At the end of the Battle of France 437 had been constructed and eventually 905 were made. Many then served with Axis forces including the French Vichy air force.

About 60 Dewotine 520s were acquired by the Italian Regia Aeronautica where they were often used to replace Macchi 200s then in service.

They were generally well regarded by Italian pilots and were principally used to intercept Allied bombers attacking Italy.

This model represents a Dewoitine 520 flying for the Reiga Aeronautica at Metato in July 1943.

RS Models 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in November 2020.