Dewoitine D.500
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D.500/501/503/510/511 | |
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A Dewoitine 510 at The A&AEE Martlesham Heath in October 1936 | |
Role | Fighter aircraft |
Manufacturer | Dewoitine |
Designer | Émile Dewoitine |
First flight | 18 June 1932 |
Introduction | July 1935 |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | French Air Force French Navy |
Number built | 381 |
Variants | Dewoitine D.520 |
The Dewoitine D.500 was an all-metal, open-cockpit, fixed-undercarriage monoplane fighter aircraft designed and produced by French aircraft manufacturer Dewoitine.
Developed from a specification issued by the French Air Ministry during 1930, the D.500 was developed to be a more capable replacement to the Nieuport 62. Ordered by the French Air Force during November 1933 and introduced in its initial model during 1935, the design was developed into several variants, most notably the D.510, which was re-engined with the more powerful Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs powerplant. It proved to be a relatively popular aircraft during the Interwar period; in France, in addition to the French Air Force's units, a specialised model of the type, the D.501, was also procured by the French Naval Aviation for carrier operations. Beyond its use in France, the D.500 saw several export sales and evaluations by prospective major customers including the Empire of Japan, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.
The D.500/D.501 saw combat with several operators. During the Spanish Civil War, it was surreptitiously supplied to the Spanish Republican Air Force; it was also flown by the Republic of China Air Force against the invading Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War. During the late 1930s, the type was largely superseded by a new generation of French fighter aircraft, these typically featured further innovations such as enclosed cockpits and retractable undercarriages, and included the design's direct successor, the Dewoitine D.520. Despite being largely obsolete, both D.500s and D.510s were operated by the French Air Force during the initial months of the Second World War, the latter remaining in use up to the end of the Battle of France and signing of the Armistice of 22 June 1940 between France and Nazi Germany.
Development[]
The origins of the D.500 can be found in the issuing of the C1 specifications by the French Air Ministry during 1930. Several aviation companies investigated a response to C1, including French aircraft manufacturer Dewoitine, headed by Émile Dewoitine. Dewoitine and his team designed a clean-sheet all-metal monoplane interceptor and submitted their proposal, designated D.500, to the Air Ministry. On 18 June 1932, the prototype performed its maiden flight.[1] During November 1933, an initial quantity of sixty aircraft was ordered from Dewoitine on behalf of the French Air Force, for whom the type was to serve as a replacement for the Nieuport 62. On 29 November 1934, the first production D.500 conducted its first flight.[1]
In service, those aircraft armed with a pair of twin nose-mounted machine guns were designated as D.500 while those fitted with a single 20 mm cannon that fired through the propeller hub received the designation D.501. Perhaps the most significant derivative of the type was the D.510, the principle difference of which was the adoption of a more powerful Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine, capable of 640 kW (860 hp); minor refinements included a slightly lengthened nose, an increase in fuel capacity and a refined undercarriage arrangement.[2] A total of 381 D.500s and its derivatives were built by the end of production.[citation needed] The design was further developed into the more capable Dewoitine D.520, which featured an enclosed cockpit and a retractable undercarriage, unlike its predecessor.
Design[]
The Dewoitine D.500 was an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane.[3] It featured a sharp fuselage, complete with a streamlined nose section that housed the aircraft's powerplant, a single Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine capable of generating up to 515 kW (691 hp). Underneath the fuselage was a relatively large-volume radiator, which was designed to present the smallest possible frontal area while still conforming with the cooling requirements of the Hispano-Suiza engine.[4] The cockpit of the D.500 was located directly above the trailing edge of the wing.[3] The pilot was provided with a vertically-adjustable chair, which can be raised in-flight to improve visibility for landing. The cockpit was furnished with oxygen apparatus as well as a radio set for communication.[3] The control stick was connected to the aircraft's ailerons via a rod transmission to horns present on the upper wing's surface.[5] The control surfaces of the D.500 were relatively small as a result of the aircraft's high speed performance.[3]
The D.500 possessed an oviod-shaped monocoque fuselage, the structure of which comprised five main and eight false bulkheads that were connected together via four longerons and intermediate stringers; these stiffened the external metal sheet covering, which was riveted onto the structure.[3] The sternpost was integral with the fuselage, while the engine bearer, comprising an oblique frame, was directly bolted to the attachment brackets of the crankcase. The aircraft's adjustable stabiliser was hinged around its front spar while rigid struts connected to either side of the lower fuselage to provide transverse stiffness.[6] The fixed undercarriage features faired axleless wheels, complete with pneumatic brakes, which are attached via a pair of triangle-shaped struts onto the lower fuselage longeron. The undercarriage's vertical stresses are absorbed by an oleo-pneumatic strut bolted to the central wing's single spar and is integral with the fuselage.[7]
The D.500 was furnished with low-mounted elliptical, all-metal cantilever wing, possessing an aspect ratio of 8.9.[7] It possessed a relatively small chord and contained only a single spar, akin to the record-setting Dewoitine D.33. The wing's strength came from its box spar, which was formed from a pair of vertical webs of sheet metal that connect with the flanges, which are in turn riveted to the flat sheet rib arcs of the sheet covering.[8] The wing had a thickness of 0.3 m (11,81 in.) at the root, gradually tapering towards its rounded-off tips. Balanced ailerons extended throughout the span, except near the fuselage, where these were reduced to provide greater downward visibility for the pilot.[8] The lower wing surface sat only 1.5 m (4.92 ft.) above the ground, which generated a beneficial ground effect to significantly reduce landing speeds. The aircraft's fuel tanks, which were located in the wing's center portion on either side of the axis of symmetry, could be separately isolated using a multi-way stopcock.[7]
Operational history[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Heller_Dewoitine_D.510.jpg/220px-Heller_Dewoitine_D.510.jpg)
During July 1935, the initial models of the aircraft, the D.500 and D.501, were inducted into the Armée de l'Air. During October 1936, the first examples of the more powerful D.510 variant were also delivered. The type was operated as the primary fighter aircraft of the Armée de l'Air, despite it soon being considered to be obsolete due to rapid advances in fighter technology being introduced during the late 1930s.[2] The D.510s were retained in the mainline fighter role until their replacement by the more capable Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 during 1939. By September 1939, the month in which the Second World War broke out between the European powers, the early D.500/501 models had been relegated to regional defense and training squadrons.[1]
At the start of the conflict, significant numbers of D.510s were still in operation with three Groupes de Chasse (Fighter Groups), two Escadrilles Régionale de Chasse (Regional Fighter Squadrons in North Africa), and two Escadrilles de Aéronautique Navale (Naval Aviation Squadrons).[1] The type was normally tasked with the air defence of areas behind the front line, such as cities and industrial areas.[2] During November 1939, in Morocco, North Africa, a single escadrille of D.510s (ERC571) was activated despite these planes lacking cannon. During May 1940, this escadrille merged with ERC 573 to form GC III/4. This groupe was disbanded by the end of August 1940. At Dakar, one groupe designated GC I/6, remained in service until being replaced by Curtiss H-75s at the end of 1941.[citation needed]
Fourteen D.501s (named D.501L), originally sold to Lithuania,[9] and two D.510s ostensibly intended for the Emirate of Hedjaz, saw service with the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War, arriving some time during mid-1936. When the French government found out about the delivery of the D.510s, they demanded the return of the 12Y engines. As a result of this request, these aircraft were refitted with Klimov M-100s (a Soviet-built copy of the 12Y) from a Tupolev SB bomber.[1] During the conflict, the two D.510s were assigned to the 71st Coastal Defense Group. Neither reportedly engaged any enemy fighters. During 1938, one aircraft was irreparably damaged while landing, while the other was destroyed on a runway during a bombing attack.[citation needed]
In June 1938, the Nationalist Air Force of China established the 41st PS, French Volunteer Squadron at Wujiaba Airbase and Qingyunpu Airbase; French volunteer pilots participating in few combat engagements against the Japanese attacks while flying in both Hawk IIIs and the D.510s which they were demonstrating for Chinese procurement, but suffered only losses, including one pilot killed-in-action against the Japanese A5M fighters that proved to be too difficult of an adversary, and led to the disbandment of the 41st PS by October 1938.[10] The 18 D.510 fighters left in China were reassigned to Chinese Nationalist Air Force 17th Fighter Squadron, 5th Fighter Group, where they would be stationed in Sichuan province and engaging the Imperial Japanese in primarily-defensive airwar campaign in the Battle of Chongqing-Chengdu.[11] The French also dispatched a single D.510 to Japan for evaluation by the Imperial Japanese Navy, but the Japanese found the A5M to be superior and did not place any orders.[12]
In course of the air battles over Chengdu and Chongqing, which were mostly fought using Soviet-made Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighter aircraft, Capt. Cen Zeliu of the Chinese Air Force 17th Fighter Squadron, 5th Fighter Group led seven Dewoitine D.510s fighters on 4 November 1939 in a level head-on attack against an incoming formation of IJANF G3M bombers (Capt. Cen knowing from experience about the unreliability of the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20mm autocannon under the g-forces of a diving attack, chose the level and direct head-on tactic); Capt. Cen pounding cannon shells into the lead bomber that happened to be occupied by the Imperial Japanese Navy's 13th Kōkūtai Commanding Officer Captain Kikushi Okuda, sending the CO's G3M crashing down in flames over Chengdu, along with three other G3M bombers destroyed in the Chengdu raid that day.[13] With the death of Captain Okuda in the air battle over Chengdu under the cannon-fire of Capt. Cen's Dewoitine D.510, the IJN Kaigun-daisa (海軍大佐) Okuda became the highest-ranking IJN officer to be killed-in-action in the War of Resistance-World War II thus far.[14]
Variants[]
- D.500.01
- First prototype aircraft.
- D.500
- First production version with a 515 kW (691 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs engine and was armed with 2 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns or 2 × 7.5 mm (.295 in) Darne machine guns in the nose, provision for 2 × additional Darnes in the wings. 101 built.
- D.500V
- D.500 built for Venezuela - 3 built.
- D.501
- Re-engined with a Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs engine, it was armed with a 20 mm (0.79 in) Hispano-Suiza S7 cannon between the engine cylinder banks firing through the propeller hub and 2 × wing-mounted machine guns. 157 built.
- D.501L
- D.501 built for Lithuania - 14 built.
- D.503
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Dewoitine_D.511.jpg/220px-Dewoitine_D.511.jpg)
- The sole D.511 prototype fitted with a 12Xcrs engine with a circular radiator in the nose, it had the same armament as the D.501. Its first flight was on 15 April 1935, it was found to perform worse than the D.500. The aircraft was briefly the personal mount of René Fonck.
- D.510
- Re-engined with a 640 kW (860 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs and armed with a 20 mm (0.79 in) Hispano cannon and 2 × 7.5 mm (0.30 in) MAC 1934 machine guns in the wings. Its first flight was on 14 August 1934, 120 built.
- D.510A
- D.510 built for Britain for evaluation - 1 built.
- D.510C
- D.510 built for China - 24 built.
- D.510J
- D.510 built for Japan for evaluation - 1 built.
- D.510R
- D.510 built for Russia for evaluation - 1 built.
- D.510T
- D.510 built for Turkey - 12 built but deliveries halted by embargo.
- D.511
- Prototype with D.500 fuselage and tail, it had smaller wings, a cantilever undercarriage and a 12Ycrs engine. One prototype was built in 1934 but never flown; it was converted to the D.503.
- AXD1
- The short designation for the single Dewoitine D.510J supplied to the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for evaluation in 1935.
- Dewoitine Navy Type D Carrier Fighter
- Long service designation for the D.510J which was supplied to the IJNAS in 1935.
Operators[]
- Republic of China Air Force - 24 D.510C
France
- French Air Force 98 x D.500, 130 x D.501 and 88 x D.510
- Aviation Navale 30 x D.501
Japan
- Japanese Imperial Navy 2 x D.510J designated as AXD
Lithuania
- Lithuanian Air Force - 14 x D.501L
Poland
Soviet Union
- Soviet Air Force 1 x D.510R for evaluation
Spain
- Spanish Republican Air Force. 7 x D.500 and 2 x D.510 in the Escuadrilla Internacional.
United Kingdom
- Royal Air Force - One x 510A for evaluation
Venezuela
- Venezuelan Air Force - 3 D.500V
Specifications (D.510)[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Dewoitine_D.500_3-view.svg/220px-Dewoitine_D.500_3-view.svg.png)
Data from The Great Book of Fighters,[1] The Dewoitine D.500 pursuit airplane[15]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 7.94 m (26 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 12.09 m (39 ft 8 in)
- Height: 2.42 m (7 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 16.5 m2 (178 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,496 kg (3,298 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,929 kg (4,253 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 640 kW (860 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Ratier metal propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 402 km/h (250 mph, 217 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
- Range: 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 14.85 m/s (2,923 ft/min)
- Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 1 minute 19 seconds
- Wing loading: 117 kg/m2 (24 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.330 kW/kg (0.201 hp/lb)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Hispano-Suiza HS.9 cannon, 60 rounds
- 2 × 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 machine guns, 300 rpg
See also[]
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Blériot S.510
- Boeing P-26 Peashooter
- Fiat CR.32
- Gloster Gladiator
- Hawker Fury
- Heinkel He 51
- Mitsubishi A5M
- PZL P.11
Related lists
- List of interwar military aircraft
- List of aircraft of the Spanish Republican Air Force
- List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II
- List of aircraft of World War II
References[]
Citations[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Green, W; Swanborough, G (2001). The great book of fighters. MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Chant, Christopher. "First-generation ‘modern’ monoplane fighters – The French Dewoitine D.500 series." cmchant.com, 15 March 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e NACA 1933 p. 1.
- ^ NACA 1933 pp. 1, 3.
- ^ NACA 1933 p. 3.
- ^ NACA 1933 pp. 1-2.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c NACA 1933 p. 2.
- ^ Jump up to: a b NACA 1933 pp. 2-3.
- ^ This does not appear to be true, as all 13 D.501L's, except for single, crashed in 1937, were in Lithuania by 15 June 1940
- ^ Gustavsson, Hakan. "Hakans Aviation page - Sino-Japanese Air War 1938 (1937-45)". Biplane Fighter Aces - China. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
The 41st PS was organised in June of 1938 and with it served French advisors-volunteers. Their main assignment seemed to have been the securing the purchase of the Dewoitine D.510 from France. According to the Soviet volunteer bomber pilot M.T. Machin, a group of French volunteers fought the Japanese with Curtiss Hawks. While repulsing one of the attacks by A5Ms, they lost four machines, from which two pilots baled out. After several days, the Japanese shot down three more and one pilot was killed. After this the group ceased to exist - M.T. Machin
- ^ 脱走兵, Straggler. "ROCAF Dewoitine D.510". Aviation of Japan 日本の航空史. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
Some accounts claim that the Dewoitines were only used as fighter trainers by the Chinese. In fact, after the French had departed, the surviving Dewoitines were deployed by the Chinese 17th Chung- tui (中队). On 4th November 1939 they were part of a force that intercepted formations of Imperial Japanese Navy G3M bombers attacking Chengtu. Captain Shen Tse-Liu in aircraft '5921', leading the 17th's Dewoitines, attacked the G3M of 13th Ku commander Captain Okuda in a head on pass, using the 20mm cannon to set fire to the Japanese bomber and destroying it.
- ^ https://pacificeagles.net/dewoitine-d-510/
- ^ Gustavsson, Hakan. "Chinese biplane fighter aces - Shen Tse-Liu". surfcity.kund.dalnet.se. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
72 G3Ms attacked Chengdu in Sichuan Province. The G3Ms came over in two formations, each with 36 aircraft, including Captain Okuda (nicknamed ‘King of the Bombers’), commander of the 13th Kokutai. The Chinese responded by sending two formations against the attackers. The first Japanese formation was heavily attacked by seven Dewoitine D510s of the 17th PS, led by Captain Shen Tse-Liu (Cen Zeliu) and seven I-15bis from the 27th PS led by Captain Hsie Chuan-Ho (Xie Chuanhe).
- ^ Chen, C. Peter. "Cen Zeliu - Chinese Air Force Fighter Ace". WW2DB. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
On 4 Nov 1939, during a massive raid of 72 G3M bombers against Chengdu, Captain Cen Zeliu shot down the G3M bomber carrying the commanding officer of Japanese 13th Air Group (Kokutai) Captain Kikushi Okuda, who became the highest ranking Japanese Navy air officer to be killed in the war thus far.
- ^ NACA 1933 pp. 4-5.
Bibliography[]
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- Breffort, Dominique (April 2005). French Aircraft from 1939 to 1942: Volume 2. Histoire and Collections. ISBN 2-915239-49-5.
- "The Dewoitine D.500 pursuit airplane (French) : an all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane." National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 1 May 1933. NACA-AC-180, 93R19564.
- Kotelnikov, V.; Kulikov, V. & Cony, C. (November 2001). "Les avions français en URSS, 1921–1941" [French Aircraft in the USSR, 1921–1941]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (104): 37–43. ISSN 1243-8650.
- Leyvastre, Pierre. "The Day of the Dewoitine". Air Enthusiast Quarterly, No. 1, n.d., pp. 17–19, 84–96. ISSN 0143-5450
- Mombeek, Eric (May 2001). "Les trésors de Cazaux" [The Treasures of Cazaux]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (98): 44–47. ISSN 1243-8650.
- Weal, Elke C.; Weal, John A.; Barker, Richard F. (1977). Combat Aircraft of World War Two. Bracken Books. ISBN 0-946495-43-2.
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