The latest release from Mushroom Models Publications is this volume on the Dewoitine D.520, France's best fighter of WWII. In line with the rest of the series it is divided into three major sections.

The first section is a history of the aircraft that includes drawings of all the different development aircraft and were this plane to have had a more normal operational history, I'm sure there would have been a number of variants as well. This section includes a brief combat history as well as its operational history with the Luftwaffe, Bulgaria and Italy.

Next is the walk-around section. There are two extant D.520s, one with the French national aviation museum and the other brought back to flying status and seen from time to time at various events in Europe. This includes not only images of these aircraft, but also drawings from period technical manuals.

The final section is the one that always inspires me. This is the section with profiles and three-views. I was particularly impressed with the proposed Vichy markings that were never used. They would have made for a most interesting aircraft and perhaps some enterprising decal maker will provide these for us.

Overall, I'd have to say that this continues the level of excellence that Mushroom Models Publications have been providing with this series. If you are an enthusiast of the type or a modeler who wants an excellent reference, then this is the book for you.

June 2005

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