Dewoitine D.370 (series)

History of the Dewoitine D. 370 (series)

The Dewoitine D.37, developed as part of the D.50bis program, evolved into the D.370, a monoplane fighter designed for the French Air Force's 1930 C1 program. With 29 units produced by December 1935, the aircraft underwent modifications, leading to the D.371 variant. This version, adopted by the French Air Force in 1934, featured an upgraded engine and four 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns under the wings. In 1936, around a dozen D.371s were acquired by the Spanish Republic, serving effectively as bombers during escort missions.

The subsequent D.372 variant, lacking wheel brakes, introduced changes to the machine gun configuration, incorporating a pair of synchronized 7.7mm Browning machine guns above the engine mounts and underwing-mounted 20mm cannons for increased offensive capabilities. Initially operated by the Lithuanian Air Force, the D.371 series was later passed to the Spanish Republican Air Force, while the Lithuanians transitioned to the D.501 series.

The last surviving D.371 fighters remained operational until 1939, boasting dimensions of 24.4 feet in length, a wingspan of 38.7 feet, and a height of 10.5 feet. Weighing 2,855 pounds, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 250 mph, a range of 710 miles, and a service ceiling of 36,100 feet. The French Navy also utilized naval versions, such as the D.373 and D.376, the latter featuring folding wings for improved onboard storage.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 1935

Origins: France

Status: Retirement

Crew: 1

Production: 88

Operator: France; Lithuania (limited); Spain

Air-to-air combat, fighter: The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Notable Features

Sync/Interrupt Gear

The automatic weapons are synchronized through a special mechanical gear assembly and fired by rotating propeller blades.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance

The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Rating Process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 24.4 feet (7.45m)

Width/span: 38.7 feet (11.80m)

Height: 10.5 feet (3.20m)

Cured weight: 2,866 lbs (1,300 kg)

MTOW: 3,814 lbs (1,730 kg)

Wgt Difference: +948 lbs (+430kg)

Main Plane Structure

Monoplane: Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Parasol: The main aircraft is mounted above the top line of the fuselage; usually supported by struts or similar structures.

Straight: Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x Gnome-Rhone 14Kds 14-cylinder, twin-row, 800 hp, air-cooled, radial piston engine, driving a two- or three-blade propeller unit on the nose.

Maximum speed: 249 km/h (400 km/h | 216 knots)

Cruising speed: 199 km/h (320 km/h | 173 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +50 km/h (+80 km/h | 43 kn)

Maximum: 36,089 feet (11,000 m | 7 km)

Area: 715 km (1,150 km | 2,130 nautical miles)

Weapons

Standard (D.371):

4 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 underwing machine guns (two cannons per wing).

Standard (D. 372):

2 x 7.7mm Browning machine guns in the hood, synchronised to fire through rotating propeller blades.

2 x 7.5mm Dahn machine guns or 2 x 20mm automatic cannons located under the wings (one per wing).

D. 373 (French Navy):

4 x 7.7mm Dahn machine guns on the wings (two machine guns per wing).