The D.1 was the first airplane designed by Emile Dewoitine after he established his own company.
The D.1 was designed to meet requirements issued by the French Service Technique de l'Aeronautique.
Derivatives of the D.1 were fitted with V-8 (D.1 and D.8), V-12 (D.19 and D.27), W-12 (D.12 and D.21) and radial engines (D.9 and D.26) as well as a variety of wing designs.
Radiators on the inline engine versions were mounted on the undercarriage struts (D.1 and D.8), on the sides of the engine cowling (D.1.01), ahead of the cowling on the nose (D.12, D.19 D.21), or under the nose (D.27 and D.53).
Italy purchased one, but then constructed 112 of their own version under the designation Ansaldo AC.2.