[caldrail]

A number of aircraft did receive DB engines. One captured Spitfire (known affectionately as the "Schmittfire")



Also, a Hawker Hurricane was fitted with a Daimler Benz by Rogoszarski of Yugoslavia during the development of the IK-3. Apparently, the performance of the Hurricane was noticeably improved but there were no plans to introduce the modification, and in any case, the Germans put a stop to development entirely.

There's no reason why a D520 couldn't be fitted with a DB engine as such. The problems involved are many and various, some of which are mentioned above, but it's all down to engineering and as the re-engined british fighters prove, it's perfectly feasible in many cases. However, you can't just slap one on and expect it to work perfectly first time. The amount of work to get the installation going may have been not worth the effort, and in any case, the D520 was only used as a trainer by the Germans so they never considered the development potential of it anyway.

[Messer]

Regarding Bulgarian pilots and their experience, I've posted several detailed accounts a few pages back. Some pilots do claim they had a 30mm Oerlikon (not the MK108/103) cannon installed, though that could just be an overestimation of the 20mm HS cannon that in the nose of the D.520 was very destructive (unlike the wing-mounted on the Spitfires). On the other hand, some Bulgarian D.520 were overhauled ex-German trainers, so such an armament version isn't entirely unplausable.

As for the DB engines, there was simply no point to do it. Germany had enough excellent fighter designs, that were already tested and could be built fast in a prepared factory. Their Bulgarian, Romanian and Finnish allies were supplied with Bf 109G's and seem to find them excellent. The Italians in addition had their own, if few, domestic designs like the MC.205 and G.55.
A great problem was the delivery of the DB engine itself - there were always more available aiframes than engines. Adding another design to the existing plethora of planes using the DB series (Bf 109, 110, 210/410, He 111 and various Italian machines) would be beyond the production capabilities of Daimler.

By the way, the French had already developed an improved version, the D.555 using an improved airframe and a more powerfull HS engine, but it didn't enter production due to the fall of France. At that time the Emil reigned supreme and there was no need for another Luftwaffe fighter...

[Loht773]

I see Messer and it makes sense not improving the D.520 having better fighters available.


Why were the 520s Hispanos Suiza 20mm cannons more destructive than thoose of the Spitfire?

Im asking because its weird to confuse a 30mm Oerlikon with a 20mm since the Oerlikons were quite

heavy stuff and im pretty sure than a pilot knows his plane as good as his weapons. Specially one

wich is forced to fight much more advanced fighter planes like the Lightnings and Mustangs.

Thank you guys for youre replys!

Regards!

[B50]

I had mentioned that significant redesign would be required to fit a DB to a D520. It is all down to engineering.

I'm just saying that with a DB engine, just like your "Schmittfire", a D520 would not be able to mount a weapon firing through the prop hub with the engine change. An engine change is basically firewall forward, but anything aft of that, such as aligning a weapon barrel down an engine assembly with a different thrust axis affects far more airframewise than does an engine swap by itself.

B50

[Messer]

The motor-mounted 20mm HS in the D.520 had less recoil problems than the one in the Spit, and greater accuracy. The wing-mounted version also suffered from freezing and jamming problems.
And, I may be wrong here, but I think I've read that the motor version had a longer barrel and a higher muzzle velocity.

[Loht773]

Interesting!

For how long did the D.520 served on the Bulgarian Airforce?



Cheers!

[Messer]

Loht773 - the D.520 entered service in the summer of 1943 (in all 97 machines). Until September 1944 they were used as interceptors against 15th USAF heavy bombers (would be a great campaign, !) and after that as escorts and ground-attack planes against the Germans. After the war they were in service for some time as advanced trainers (a duty the D.520s also performed during the war) and reserve fighters, though by that time few remained and even fewer were serviceable. I'm not sure when (around 1946-47), but most were recycled by the communist to make aluminium kitchen tools. There's a legend that some heavily damaged 109's and D.520s were burried in a large hole after the bombings at Karlovo airfield, though the state hasn't spend any effort to check it out...

Any updates on the project? C'mon, at least some WIP screens?
Is there at least a template available, so I can start skinning for this beauty?

[332Sqn_Per]

nope.
For the moment the project is out of my hands and the other guys working on it has RL things to handle.When we have something, if we have something, we will of course share it with you.
Remember: the guys are working with material from a complete noob...

Thx for your kind interest though. Hopefully we will not let you down.

[Loht773]

Kitchen tools! Kitchen tools!

Dear god what a pitty its worst than the Argentinean Spitfires wich were used as targets for F-86 Sabres!


Isnt there any D. 520 in some Bulgarian Air Force Museum?


Cause im gonna take a shovel and head for that Bulgarian air base right now! :lol:


That is surely interesting, ground attack missions... Did the D.520 carried any bombs or was it only strafing missions?


And 332Sqn_Per, dont thanks us!

Thanks You for this awsome plane!

Cheers!

[Claymore]

Hi all !

Don't worry, you will not miss to be informed as soon as we shall have of what to satisfy your curiosity. :wink:

Personally I got down to the realization of the template so that we can begin to stick textures on the model, but I am very busy somewhere else what makes that the project advances, but in slow motion.

Concerning the question of Loht773 to know if there is D.520 in a Museum the answer is yes but:

On the 910 Dewoitine produced there is only three remain at present, the only one who is exposed is in Paris, in the "Mus

[KWM_Rammbock]

Magnifique!!!

Can't wait to fly it!
keep up the good work!

[Loht773]

Any news?




Regards!

[Guest]

[332Sqn_Per]

Well guys, real life is a pain. Haven

[folgore83]

Don't worry...

About your project, I prefer that it advances slow and still alive ... rather than dead.

Thank you for all these efforts !