Dewoitine D.560

Aware of some prejudice against the low-wing monoplane configuration for single-seat fighters, Emile Dewoitine evolved almost simultaneously with the low-wing D 500 a fighter of shoulder-mounted gull wing configuration. This used the same 660 take-off horsepower HS 12Xbrs engine, the same fuselage and essentially similar tail surfaces. Designated D 560, this fighter flew for the first time on 5 October 1932, proving to be slower at rated altitude than the equivalent low-wing monoplane when flown at the Centre d'Essais at Villacoublay during the following month. The ventral radiator bath was extended forward similar to that of the D 500, and to rectify a stability problem the vertical tail was enlarged. The manoeuvrability of the D 560 proved outstanding, but evaluation pilots participating in the 1930 C1 programme universally condemned the gulled wing (which was also featured by other contenders - the Loire 43, the Gourdou-Leseurre 482 and the Mureaux 170). As a consequence, the D 560 was rebuilt as a classic parasol monoplane, the designation being changed to D 570.

Engine: HS 12Xbrs, 600 hp
Max take-off weight: 1698 kg / 3743 lb
Empty weight: 1270 kg / 2800 lb
Wingspan: 12.47 m / 40 ft 11 in
Length: 8.48 m / 27 ft 10 in
Height: 3.42 m / 11 ft 3 in
Wing area: 17.30 sq.m / 186.22 sq ft
Max. speed: 375 km/h / 233 mph