The main question is if the D.520 Nr.510 was wearing the Vichy markings at all.
Probably we will never have a definitive answer to your question. we can only try to get to a conclusion using some logics.
- Research done by Riccardo Trotta (see his article published by Stormo Magazine already mentioned above) reported the following:
" In 1941 .....the Armistice Committee .... issued the directive numbered 1/2508 that stated:
· The abolition of the fuselage stripes;
· The application on the wings of tricolor bands 0.30m width, 30° inclined with respect to the airplane axis, that diverge from the axis in the rear part.
Aircraft devoid of these markings were forbidden to fly from January 18th 1942; these measures, first limited to Tunisia, were extended to all areas of operations starting from February 6th 1942. However, the most interesting disposition concerning our subject is the one following the Free French zone of occupation, as a consequence of the Allied landing in North Africa on November 7th 1942, when the Vichy French airforce ceased to exist. Nevertheless the Axis partners were interested in recovering French aircraft, so such aircraft had to fly from French territory without risk of being mistaken for enemy aircraft. The Circular coded 549C/CAT dated November 14th stated that "only those aircraft that have around the wings and the fuselage white bands 0.50m width and the lower part of the nose or of the engines in bright yellow are authorized to fly".
Italian recovery party only brought in Italy aircraft in flying conditions so it is very unlikely that our subject, that become an operational machine, was not sporting Vichy markings.
By the way, if we look at available photos, this one indisputably concerns "RED 6"
On this one the number on the white band seems to be a SIX as well:
but it could also be a FIVE.
In any case the above pictures shows two different sides of the plane.
The third picture available shows the right side again
Camouflage is very similar, if not identical, but there are no call numbers on the white fuselage band.
The over-painting on the cowling is evident and it's also evident that the upper portion is darker.
Unfortunately fin and rudder are outside the picture.
It doesn't means too much, but for my curiosity I tried a little exercise.
I first took two different shades of grey and put them on a single picture together with the same dark grey and a yellow colour (FS 36473 doesn't refers to yellow)
Then I converted the picture to grey-scale:
The difference is evident.
Anyway, a very nice discussion on a very interesting subject.
Many thanks for your contribution.
Alberto