Dewoitine D520, 164a Squadriglia, 161 Gruppo, Reggio di Calabria, September 1943

"At the end of 1942, the Regia Aeronautica's complement of operational aircraft had dwindled to a worrying level. In order to make good these losses which the Italian aeronautical industry found difficult to replace, various types of aircraft were pressed into service with the Italian Air Force, particularly within fighter units. As a result, some sixty D520s were allocated to groups such as the 8th, 13th, 22nd, 24th, 59th, 60th, 161st and 169th. The aircraft came from various sources either directly from French units or fresh from the factory. 

Subsequently French fighters piloted by Italian crew fought American bombers. This French presence in the midst of the Regia Aeronautica is all the more interesting [in] that it was resonsible for for some original camouflage. Thus one can note the remains of French colours next to shades routinely used by the Italians for touch up patches. Some typical French markings were overpainted whilst others were sometimes retained as for example the "Grim Reaper" insignia [of G/C II/1] the tricolour wing stripes and roundels whose position is still clearly visible under the touched up camouflage. Morever the worn out appearance of the aircraft suggests intensive operational use."

[Quoted text and pictures from "Dewoitine D520", DTU 1997, ISBN 2-912749-00-X] 

Credits :
Alatriste & Captain Manduca : 3dz
Claudio Wilches : cockpit
Migge : instruments
Skin : FreddyB (using Dom's skin for the underside)

Special thanks to Stewart Nunn for several changes in the 3DZ File (fuselage), for the profile, the picture and the text above.
He is the one who gave me the idea to do this skin.
Thanks for your help and your precious support Stew !

FreddyB