Dewoitine D.520

[gamary]

I've started on an "emergency" order for a French magazine. They need a D.520 profile and for some reason, my old 2006 profiles couldn't quite do it:



So I'm starting from scratch:



The biggest challenge was recreating a decent set of plans. Most blueprints show the D.520's wing as being very tapered, almost triangular, when seen from profile. What I've done here is based on photos and I believe it to be more accurate. There are also problems with the underwing details.

There is still plenty of work to do on it (and quickly, while I'm at it), but it's a start.

[inkworm]

Know what you mean, dig out an old profile thinking it's ok and then realise it needs so much work it'll be easier to do it all again. What are the odds you will do another one in 2021 and do it all again thinking this one is a bit below par?

Looking good so far and good luck getting it all done.

[gamary]

Well, in this case, I never really thought it was OK. ;-)

That first profile is one of the very first ones I did and it's plain and simply bad. I keep it because I'm too lazy and I find it amusing to see the progress I've done over the years. I just hope I keep on improving my stuff.

I've even invested in fancy equipment for my computer. Instead of 2Gb of RAM, I've now upgraded to 3! Tragically, support and updates for Windows XP will end in a few months. I don't know whether I should keep using it, or simply cry like a baby and move on to 7. If I do, I might actually use one of the several computers waiting to replace my good old 2009 Dell.

Any suggestions regarding XP?

I mean, aside from calling me I'm a techno-retrograde.

Update:

[JMSmith]

sorry Bertrand, even I had to change to 7 I miss XP like you would miss a good lover, bloody Microsoft.
as for you profile, it's nice and you nailed the look of the camouflage colours

[gamary]

as for you profile, it's nice and you nailed the look of the camouflage colours

Which is amusing because this was just a quick'n'sloppy placeholder...

More work done, and begun to add some weathering:



I already have my laptop running with 7, and with a few tweaks I find it OK. Vista is a piece of crap IMHO and 8 also seems lousy. When I do upgrade, I will be happy to get increased performance, though. I'm losing way too much time because of my slow machine.

I'm glad you like the profile. There is still quite a few things to attend to but I'm rather happy with the results. It's a pain to do, as plans are no good, and the few survivors have quite a few unauthentic repairs and mods...

[inkworm]

Stick with Windows NT. Coming along nicely

[Mangas]

Hello, Bertrand. I like when you start a new project. I really want to see your approach of making 3D effects on this one.

[MehPhil]

Hello Bertrand, Xp, seven? When I have the change of machine, the choice has been difficult ... just a moment. 8 GB of ram and 64 bit changes the life. Ah! The Dewoitine 520, that of remembrance at the meeting of Etampes, my ULM next to the D. 520, the discussion with his driver ... Beautiful work, when one of the 1 AC or 2AC?

[MehPhil]

Oups! Sorry for my English and my feverish (?) fingers on the keyboard.
Phil

[gamary]

It's been a (very long) while, but here is the first "real" French D.520:



This was No 277, as flown by ADC Pierre Le Gloan on 15 May 1940, when he made "ace in a day" against Italian fighters. It's often represented with a white stripe on the fuselage and a tricoloured "ace band" running diagonally. AFAIK, this is how it actually looked on that day. The white band was applied to aircraft after the Armistice, so it certainly wasn't there, and the "ace" band was added after May 15.

It's interesting to see that Le Gloan flew No 277 for a long time (he was shot down in it in exactly a year and a month later and had to crash-land). There were several variations in the paintschemes, as well as patches and repairs, which can be followed on the various photos that were taken of it.

Any feedback is welcome.