Dewoitine D.37X Series - Aircraft Overview

Today we take a look at the French Dewoitine D.37 and its derivatives.
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Recommended Reading:
Danel.R & Cuny.J (1982), Les Avions Dewoitine
Danel.R & Cuny.J (1982), "Dewoitine 370 à 376: Les derniers chasseurs-parasols français"
Le Fana de L’Aviation - Various Articles

[@RexsHangar]

F.A.Q Section Q: Do you take aircraft requests? A: I have a list of aircraft I plan to cover, but feel free to add to it with suggestions:) Q: Why do you use imperial measurements for some videos, and metric for others? A: I do this based on country of manufacture. Imperial measurements for Britain and the U.S, metric for the rest of the world, but I include text in my videos that convert it for both. Q: Will you include video footage in your videos, or just photos? A: Video footage is very expensive to licence, if I can find footage in the public domain I will try to use it, but a lot of it is hoarded by licencing studies (British Pathe, Periscope films etc). In the future I may be able to afford clips :) Q: Why do you sometimes feature images/screenshots from flight simulators? A: Sometimes there are not a lot of photos available for certain aircraft, so I substitute this with digital images that are as accurate as possible.

[@nicklamproutsos-g9w]

bloch mb 151

[@Imachickenlol]

Can i have your scripts for this plz?

[@AndrewGivens]

These parasol-wing fighters are very interesting. Was a parasol monoplane used by one of the sides in the Gran Chaco War?

[@marcinfranckowski9096]

PZL P37b

[@marcinfranckowski9096]

Su 2

[@matthewgordon-clark2392]

Rex, pleeeease do a vid on the D520?

[@theinfernollama8564]

Yes I would love that aswell

[@Kriegloaf]

That would be rather splendid

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

Old comment i know but I second this suggestion because I'd love to hear more about Vichy French use of the d520 in some of the more forgotten theaters like Syria

[@jannearo328]

A little trivia: The Finnish Air Force's first aerial victory was achieved on November 30. 1939, when Sergeant Uuttu shot down a Soviet Polikarpov I-16 with the Bristol Bulldog Mk IV he was piloting.

[@warrenjones744]

I really love it when you cover an aircraft I never heard of. I can not even comprehend the hours you must spend reaserching and producing these videos. Well done sir. Edit, since I enjoy your channel so much. I just put my money where my mouth is and Joined your Patreon.

[@anzaca1]

These planes are in War Thunder, if you're interested. A lot of the planes from these videos are, actually.

[@oscarvi3232]

There is something delightfully art deco about these mid-war aircraft. Love their look.

[@drstevenrey]

Another total master piece from Chris/Rex. You just rock really hard.

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Yep. Rex's work is top shelf.

[@ba780YT]

It makes me rock hard, that’s for sure

[@tonybarnes3658]

Rex, you are bloody magnificent! All your videos are really well done and crazy informative! Aircraft I've heard of or read about but you bring them to life and also reveal so much more detail. I know I could study and research them but quite literally you do it for me. Thanks a million mate.

[@secretbaguette]

I misread for a second and thought you said 'Rex you are a bloody magnificent AI' Just WHAT

[@enigmamod]

I agree he is fantastic

[@90lancaster]

Neat looking design. It almost reminds me of powered Hang Glider design in the way the body sort of "hangs" under the wing like that.

[@bigblue6917]

I always look at these type of monoplane and wonder why they used the parasol wing instead of the lower wing. But I suppose that's the benefit of hindsight.

[@rudolfnv6666]

your quality and relaxing voice along with appropriate images is amazing! I have them on whilst working or doing hobbies!

[@bigblue6917]

Thanks, Rex. Another footnote of aviation fleshed out into a full story. The Spanish Republicans did manage to get their hands on a couple of Hawker Hart's sent out in kit form. You know how it is with anything in kit form, always something left over. Well the Republican mechanics found they were also left with a couple of extra parts but did not know what the were for. But as the aircraft flew okay they were obviously not that important. However the two Republican pilots quickly discover what they were for. These extra bits was the aircrafts interrupter gear. In quick succession they managed to shoot off their own propellers and at the same time gifted two new Hawker Hart's to General Franco. So if you do have any spare parts try not to shoot the legs of you furniture.

[@k3D4rsi554maq]

lol

[@papadopp3870]

That is one aviation that, in my long years of aeroplane enthusiasm, I had never heard! Leaving out the interrupter gear and blowing away your airscrew would almost certainly ruin your dogfighting day!

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Always a valid consideration when I shopped at IKEA. ... : D

[@glmm2001]

Sorry, but that’s a complete bullshit. No Hart ever flew during the SCW and, of course, both sides had competent ground personnel and engineers as there was a prewar Spanish aircraft industry which built such aircraft as the Br XIX, Nieuport 52, Savoia 16….. Spain had just chosen the Fury as the replacement for the Ni 52 and pattern aircraft were in the country to prepare the local serial production with an Hispano Suiza (a Spanish company with a French subsidiary at the time) engine instead of the Kestrel. They were hastily armed and fought in the early stages of the war. This interrupter gear failure tale has been linked to one of the Furies but later debunked.

[@ericthemauve]

Try not to use apostrophes in your plurals.

[@mattewj1268]

Thank you Rex, great video. Your hard work in this channel is really appreciated.

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Thank you for this upload. I really felt for the Lithuanian Delegation when they discovered that the fighter plane's warranty would be void if they wanted the plane to go fast. !!

[@k3D4rsi554maq]

This aeroplane reminds me of the Westland Lysander

[@makschorney2514]

Great session, great to see you back... Suggestion? Racing Planes of the 30's?

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

I adore this plane thank you rex for covering it

[@lakrids-pibe]

I bought a biplane in Ikea. I'm looking forward to building it. The model is called Söppvit Kåmel

[@airmakay1961]

Just finished a model of the Argentinian Pulqui 1. In researching the airplane I learned Dewoitine had fled to Argentina after the war and was involved in the design of the airplane. With Kurt Tank involved in the Pulqui II the story becomes even more interesting. Rex, maybe a history of post-war Argentinian aircraft?

[@mark_delfino]

Have a soft spot for parasol designs of all ages

[@kkang2828]

I just love this thing’s blend of round fuselage and parasol wings. Definitely one of my favorite aircraft.

[@BELCAN57]

Looking forward to a D-500 video.

[@carolynjohnson6867]

Rex, just finished watching yet another of your wonderful videos. And a thought occurred. You end most, if not all, of your videos by saying, “but that is a story for another day….” As a contributor at the Wing Commander level, and as a dedicated admirer, would you consider marketing a t-shirt with that phrase on the front? Thank you for giving this your consideration. Carolyn Johnson

[@RexsHangar]

I'm currently making plans for a 'Hangar Store', so I will definitely add this idea to my list! 😀

[@wildancrazy159]

This channel is the only one I hit like before the video starts....

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*Great video, Rex...👍*

[@draganjagodic4056]

Excellent work, excellent vids.

[@flyingarts6765]

Another handsome parasol from France....like the NiD 42 and MS 225. Which I hope you'll cover.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Excellent overview of the D.37 family, Chris.

[@martinryan2370]

More Aero Naval aircraft please Wibault for all 👍

[@rogerioferreirajunior2060]

So, now we need a video on the D.500

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Interesting Aircraft.....Thanks my friend.... Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

[@sim.frischh9781]

Moving is always a chalenge, i have moved a couple times by now and each time it got more chaotic. I didn´t realized just HOW MUCH stuff had come together that needed to be moved. And furniture, that´s a nightmare on its own every single time O.o

[@jasonz7788]

Awesome thanks Rex

[@shatterquartz]

Fascinating that subsequent Dewoitine fighter aircraft retained that same tail design, all the way to the jet-powered Pulqui.

[@tonyz7216]

Whooaa I'd never noticed that on the Pulqui!!!

[@davidvavra9113]

He's Back!

[@GrahamWKidd]

First video from new green Office!!

[@ronjon7942]

Groan, it’s 6am, I need to go to bed, and Rex releases…

[@otakubancho6655]

Sounds like a perfect fit for the Elbonian Air Force.

[@ajasont]

I'm fascinated by the native American headdress shown on the plane at 9:40!

[@emjackson2289]

Its amazing to think that between 1 April 1939 and 1945 basically everything that flew in the Spanish Civil War was essentially obsolete yet a good % of the aircraft that flew, especially for the Nationalists, between 1936 and 1 April 1939 but also the Polikarpov I-16, the Tupolev SB of the Republican Air Force wasn't just good, but it was the best in the World. An example absolutely in my mind as to how rapid things changed in aviation. I mean, the aircraft in this video is a case in point.

[@davidjones332]

It's also remarkable that so many of the lessons the Germans and Italians thought they had learned from that war proved to be entirely false. The Italians thought nothing mattered for a fighter but a good pilot view from an open cockpit biplane, the Germans thought it proved bombers could operate in daylight defended by just a couple of rifle-calibre machine guns, and that the Stuka was a winner even when unescorted. The Battle of Britain soon put paid to those illusions.

[@emjackson2289]

@@davidjones332 my apologies for the delay in my reply! Very true. Also: We thought that MG calibre guns were OK for the Spitfire. Had we not noticed what the Bf109 had done?

[@davidjones332]

The answer is yes. The RAF knew that cannon were the answer, but the only one readily available was the French Hispano. RAF experts looked at it, but they found it had been designed for mounting on the engine block, which wouldn't work with a Merlin. The gun was not rigid enough for wing mounting, and trials for the Polish Air Force showed an unacceptable stoppage rate. The RAF had to re-engineer the gun to make it work properly and they didn't succeed until after the Battle of Britain. The Germans used the Oerlikon which was an adapted AA gun, but with a shortened barrel it had poor muzzle velocity and was limited to a 60-round drum feed, so it wasn't initially all that good either.@@emjackson2289

[@donaldwiller9238]

Great job 👏

[@enigmamod]

Hi Rex, Do you plan one for the DW-500 Series?

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

Never really gave France any thought in War Thunder until one day when I got bored and tried out their reserves. Weird looking but definitely a match for anyone else's plane.

[@anzaca1]

4:40 The parasol wing would've granted better visibility of the carrier deck during landing, so there's an advantage there.

[@jimjames4875]

Maybe do the Australian Dassault Mirage story?

[@PORRRIDGE_GUN]

In the thumbnail, this aircraft has RAF roundels?

[@alainfournol6786]

thanks again, Alex for this good work !

[@aviationdeepdive]

You’re welcome! 😂

[@alexandergustafsson4245]

Rex means king right? You are the king of aviation content! =)

[@PIERRECLARY]

merci xx

[@shatterquartz]

Incidentally, as lesser-known interwar French fighter aircraft go, I hope you will give the Wibault 7 its chance to shine 🙂

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

That'd be an interesting video, given the lengthy and adventurous career the type had. It could be slow, but it sure was rugged.

[@XXfea]

Thanks 👍👍

[@Intrusive_Thought176]

Do a video on the nothrop A-17 Nomad that was mentioned in your a12 shrike video

[@Johnnydiamondlonglive]

Another triumph!

[@ΓιάννηςΜπούρας-κ4ν]

Rex could you make a video on WW1 submarine hunting or the evolution of flying boats??

[@emjackson2289]

Also, if I can have a second comment 06:28 - "their use as brakes being suggestive rather than effective" really does make one wonder does it not? [mysterious sound takes us back in time to an airfield in France, the 1930's and Chason plays from the wireless] "Captain, when we come in to land my pilots and I should use the brakes to avoid sliding off the Bourget runway should we not?" "Mon Ami, these brakes on your Dewoitine D.37 are suggestive not effective" "MON DIEU!" [mysterious music takes us back to 2023]

[@kimjanek646]

I like flying this plane in WT :3

[@samuelruetz5175]

The handling is certainly unique. You can definitely feel how everything is suspended under that wing.

[@soulsoulsoul634]

in warthunder its cannon armed with like 40 rounds great low tier plane though as no fighter at that tier has cannons

[@gryfandjane]

I eagerly watch all of your videos, but I admit that I jumped on this one primarily to hear how “Dewoitine” is pronounced. 😊

[@admiralbeez8143]

The very first single seat, monoplane carrier fighter with folding wings. The French deserve credit for that innovation. The British, for example would not have a single seat, monoplane carrier fighter with folding wings until the Seafire in 1943.

[@boredatwork7031]

My favorite interwar french aircraft

[@wbertie2604]

See Rex video. Reflexively like, then watch How is the settling in and office set up going?

[@anotheraccount6947]

Please tell me we get a follow up with the D.520

[@Vespuchian]

The D.37 makes me wonder about an alternate low-wing cantilever version and how the handling might differ. Still, one of the better parasol wing fighters, a very solid design (barring engine issues).

[@SamlSchulze1104]

3 o'clock Charlie's plane?

[@johnculver2519]

Is there a reason why the thumbnail image aircraft has RAF roundels?

[@mikehipperson]

It looks like someone 'colourised' a monochrome photo and effed up on the roundel.

[@sheepFP5]

They're French roundels. Supposed to be Red outer ring, pale blue centre, incorrectly colourised

[@mpetersen6]

​@@sheepFP5 The red outer ring always seems to be darker in B&W photos.

[@applicationuser9764]

Good-looking A/C if you ask me.

[@puebespuebes8589]

This aircraft is very good in warthunder...

[@dallesamllhals9161]

Dang It! Notta' MS.230! I want - not that many - WWI-film reviews too

[@matthewgordon-clark2392]

love the 'ish

[@outlawflyer7868]

What a coincidence that this plane came up when I just finished watching "The Blue Max"

[@Storm-lg4mx]

The Blue Max monoplane

[@russkinter3000]

I thought so, but wasn't sure. I always thought that plot device was a nod to the Fokker DVIIi

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

That was a Morane Saulnier MS-230, if I recall correctly. There were no D.37 extant when the movie was made. Cheers.

[@GARDENER42]

5:34 1934. 😉🙃

[@felixtheswiss]

I could get you some Documentation to the D26 and D27 and translate it from german!

[@antgiat]

An amazing open minded industry,shame that politics destroyed its potential just before the war

[@MangoTroubles-007]

It was the "ugly" looking French planes that actually preformed the best

[@williamroberts1819]

Hurray!!!!

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

This sweet ride is more my style.

[@vonticonderoga]

Strikingly similar to polish PZL P7/ P11/P24

[@jillatherton4660]

👍

[@GrahamWKidd]

Why do I see this plane and immediately think Lysander?

[@MangoTroubles-007]

Or..that fighter plane that the French only had 36 of when the Nazi's attacked them, the 520

[@notbobrosss3670]

Ignorance?

[@GrahamWKidd]

@@notbobrosss3670 Who hurt you?

[@pencilpauli9442]

Am rather partial to the French interwar fighters, especially the parasol aircraft

[@Peter_Morris]

Hmmm. The French really out-Frenched themselves when they sent those unarmed fighters to the Republicans.

[@ba780YT]

This thing is so OP in War Thunder

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@DrHundTF2]

I just read the wiki page on it because the He 51 was mentioned. It said D.371s defended from He 51, and called them older models… The D.371 first flew in 1932 and the He 51 in 1933… Just say the Gunther bros sucked with engine choice and metal placement, instead of finding convoluted ways to insult my baby

[@rantanplancuba4237]

You sound like Sovietwomble

[@aerogray2500]

AAGHH! 400 kmh at 4500 metres?? Come on man. We're not in China. The West uses feet and knots (or even MPH, as you correctly used in the Parnall Panther vid.). As a PPL and someone working in aviation training, it frustrates the hell out of me when "Mayday" or "Air Crash Investigations" also go down that wholly misleading kmh / metres route. Not one ASI on any aircraft is calibrated in Kmh and Flight Levels the world over are given in feet. OK. Rant over. I love your vids and it's so refreshing to see a young man so passionate about aviation! Happy 2024 Rex and Max!

[@Imachickenlol]

Can i have your scripts for this?

[@iandennis7836]

It looks like nothing so much as a Westland Lysander prototype.......

[@kevanhubbard9673]

That Bristol Bulldog looks like a WW1 Albatross minus the black cross on it!

[@schristy3637]

I love watching show. That said i hate flying,but I do it.. When I have to. But the strange thing is.. I love air planes. Like I love the history of baseball(and movies about it too),but I find the game BORING!! But to be fair. I don't watch sports at all. Love your shows:)

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Strange that the Republican Spain couldn`t arm those unarmed planes themselves.

[@glmm2001]

They did, as all the French Dewoitines arrived unarmed and this was a trivial affair as the weapons were mounted in the wing. Problem was the available air guns, the Vickers E, wasn’t very reliable and, when mounted out of pilot reach, stoppages could not be cleared as in nose mounted guns. In any case they were relatively successful in the early stages oftne war and some survived in second line duties after lack of spares and low numbers made them unusable and were replaced by modern Soviet types like the I-15 and 16. Both were made under license during the war, with more than 200 I-15s being built locally. Unfortunately, neither guns or engines could be locally sourced

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Good to know. THX.@@glmm2001

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

@@glmm2001 They were using the venerable Vickers Mk.II/II* from WWI, same as on the Hispano-Nieuport 52. Reliable, it was. Don't know if the Spanish ever used the Mk.III, though. Thing is, the wing mounting for the machine gun was not properly adapted and hampered the secure feed of rounds from the belt. The Loire 46 had the same issue with the gun mountings in Spanish Republican service. Cheers.

[@conservativemike3768]

The French… oh what might have been..

[@MOTV88]

The rounded on the thumbnail is wrong. The blue and red need to be inverted. The French had blue in the center, red on the outside. The RAF had blue outside, red in the center. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3ADevoitine_D-371.jpg

[@williamscoggin1509]

Wow, this airplane had such a messed up life. A fighter that could not fight, with guns that have three seconds of ammo and an engine that would tear itself apart. And I'm sure they took the brakes off to reduce weight. 🫣

[@mathis.docquier]

the 3 seconds of ammo where only for a prototype with the 20 mm's. the produced version used 4 7.5 mm guns that could fire for more that 10 seconds

[@stuartgmk]

👍