Below; Flottille F1 C (French naval air arm) machine were initially based in Algeria (Oran) late 1940. Nine of them flew to North Africa on June 25, 1940 and were 'organised' into two escadrilles 1AC and 2AC. Flew escort for two 'raids' on Gibraltar as reprisal for the attack on Dakar. Aircraft from 1 AC were briefly deployed to Syria and flew back to Morocco in late April 1942 which is where they were when the Allies landed in North Africa.
Following the defeat of France and the end of the Westfeldzug the French were allowed to resume/continue production of the D.520 with Mers-el-Kébir prompting the Germans to maintain a Vichy air force deployed to defend and protect French colonial interests in North Africa which were of no interest to the Germans. Production was used only to replace Vichy Armée de l'Air losses, with the remainder going to the occupation forces for fighter pilot training.
Some nice D.520 views as seen on master194.com. Note the 'midnight blue' cockpit colour.
More Dewoitine D.520 posts on this blog
Vichy Air Force D.520s of GC III/6 en route to Syria 1941
http://falkeeinsgreatplanes.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/vichy-d520s-of-gc-iii6-en-route-to.html
D.520s of the French resistance - le groupe Doret
http://falkeeinsgreatplanes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/dewoitine-d520-fighters-of-french.html
Dewoitine D.520 in the débacle
http://falkeeinsgreatplanes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/dewoitine-d-520-in-debacle-french.html
Tours airfield, June 1940
http://falkeeinsgreatplanes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/dewoitine-d-520-in-debacle-french.html
