Normandie-Niemen Regiment Yak fighter over Russia ?1944.  Best regards, JR.

"Normandie" Yak.

Dewoitine D520 in flight, possibly a test flight or trial.  The French-built D520 was one of the best fighters available in any air force in 1940, but was available for combat only in small numbers during the Battle of France.  As with the French fighter force in general, the impact of this fighter was (further) reduced by incompetent deployment and control on the part of the French Army command.  Best regards, JR.

Dewoitine D520.

The Vichy French government moved a good part of its air force to North Africa, where it flew missions against the British.  Not all of its pilots were enthusiastic about this, however; when given the chance, many pilots chose to defect to the Allies along with their aircraft (not a very difficult thing to do, especially if one acted in cooperation with one or more comrades).  This is very likely how the Free French Forces acquired this D520.  Future air ace Marcel Albert was a case in point.  Having flown several missions against the RAF Desert Air Force, he (along with a comrade) defected, landing at an RAF airstrip and surrendering their aircraft to the Allies.  He, of course, went on to distinguish himself in Russian skies with the Normandie-Niemen Regiment.  Best regards, JR.