D.501

D.501

D.500

H-75A-1

360://https://old-wiki.warthunder.com/images/7/7a/Cockpit_d_501.jpg

D.501

D.500

H-75A-1

France

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.7	1.3	1.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:1 500

Purchase:700

Description

The D.501 is a rank I French fighter with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB) and 1.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France".

The D.501 is an all-metal mono-wing aircraft with an open cockpit and fixed landing gear. Built in the mid 1930’s, it was one of the main French fighter aircraft until it was replaced by Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 aircraft in 1939. When playing SB (or AB and RB in cockpit view) this aircraft offers excellent visibility, only limited by the position of the wings. This aircraft has 600 rounds of ammunition between two machine guns and 60 rounds of 20 mm ammunition. This aircraft can really do some damage when gun convergence is set between 250 and 350 meters.

General info

Flight performance

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	352	346	9000	13.7	14.3	10.5	10.5	150
Upgraded	375	363		12.4	13.0	14.7	12.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	X	X	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	577	N/A	N/A	N/A	~12	~7

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 320	< 330	< 360	> 280

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,800 m	690 hp	N/A

Survivability and armour

• 3 mm Steel plate behind engine
• 3 mm Steel plate on pilot's seat
• Open cockpit
• Fuel tanks are not self-sealing (1 beneath pilot's feet, in in each wing)

Armaments

Offensive armament

The D.501 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm Hispano 404 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
• 2 x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

The single Hispano 404 cannon is mounted centrally in the fuselage while each of the MAC 1934 machine guns are mounted on the underside of the wing. Each of the machine guns are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that they will fire with each other until empty. On the other hand, the cannon only has 60 rounds of ammunition and if fired at the same time and at the same rate as the machine guns, it will run out of ammo first.

Usage in battles

The D.501 is a French fighter which can be utilized for air-to-air combat or ground attack on light ground units (armoured vehicles and mobile AAA units). Good speed and manoeuvrability allows this aircraft to use its rudder, ailerons and flaps to roll, turn and manoeuvre out of tight spots. When going after ground units, this aircraft can make an attack and then loop up and back over down onto remaining targets with ease. The 20 mm cannon adds an extra punch which many early aircraft do not have and can be used to great effect on other aircraft, including larger bombers.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Combined	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm
IV			Cover	New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Strong firepower of the 20mm cannon is quite devastating for fragile planes around 1.3
• Nose-centered guns are easy to aim in simulator
• Dual role of aircraft fighter and ground attacker
• Agile and effective when turning and looping especially when utilizing the rudder
• Fixed landing gear makes landings easier

• Great over-the-nose visibility allowing easy aiming in a simulator dogfight
• Easy to control at low speeds meaning forgiving landing characteristics for realistic / simulator
• Open cockpit allows player to hear outside sounds easily, which is beneficial in noticing nearby enemies

Cons:

• Open cockpit (vulnerable to pilot sniping). No rear protection at all for the pilot
• Low ammo count of only 60 rounds is very unfriendly to beginners / bad aimers
• Critical components clustered towards front of aircraft
• Fixed landing gear creates more drag
• No flap controls limiting its turning potential

History

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Media

War Thunder Development 5091 - Dewoitine D.501: Lost But Not Forgotten

See also

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• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
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