The Caudron C.710 series, culminating in the C.714 Cyclone, was a French lightweight fighter aircraft developed in the late 1930s as a low-cost, rapid-production solution to bolster France’s air defences.
Constructed primarily of wood, the C.714 entered limited production in 1939–1940, but was quickly outclassed by more modern designs and hampered by an underpowered engine.
Approximately 90 units of the C.714 were produced.
The type saw its most notable combat use during the Battle of France, where it was flown by Polish pilots of Groupe de Chasse I/145.
Despite their determination, the C.714’s poor climb rate, limited fire-power, and fragile airframe resulted in significant losses.
Consequently, the aircraft was withdrawn from frontline duties shortly after its combat debut.
A small number of C.714s were delivered to Finland, though they saw minimal action before being withdrawn from service in 1941.
Though a bold initiative to produce a domestic fighter under wartime pressure, the C.710 series ultimately proved inadequate for sustained combat operations.
Its brief service life reflects the challenges of balancing urgency with capability in aircraft development.
Built Variants
C.710
Prototype Fighter
First Flight
18 July 1936
Design Features
Fixed spatted landing gear
Semicircular vertical stabiliser
Powered by a Renault 12R-01 inverted V-12 engine (450 hp)
Armed with 2 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.9 cannons in underwing pods
Performance
Top speed of 455 km/h at 4,000 m
Outcome
Prototype crashed in February 1938; not selected for production due to poor climb rate compared to the Morane Saulnier M.S.405
C.712
Speed Record Attempt
Engine
Renault 613 (750 hp), enhanced with 100-octane fuel
Wing
Adapted from Caudron C.580
First Flight
24 December 1936
Fate
Crashed during a record attempt on 29 April 1937
C.713
Intermediate Fighter Prototype
First Flight
15 December 1937
Upgrades
Retractable landing gear
Triangular vertical stabiliser
Role
Served as the direct predecessor to the C.714
C.714 Cyclone
Final Production Model
First Flight
April 1938 (C.714.01 prototype)
Engine
Renault 12R-03 (500 hp), with improved carburettor for negative-G manoeuvres
Armament
4 × 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns in underwing fairings
Construction
All-wood airframe with fabric-covered control surfaces
Production
90 units built between 1939–1940
Performance
Max speed of 467 km/h at 5,000 m; poor climb rate and manoeuvrability limited combat effectiveness
Legacy
The C.710–714 series reflected France’s attempt to mass-produce lightweight fighters using non-strategic materials.
Despite its sleek design and racing lineage, the aircraft was outdated by 1940, and its operational record was salvaged only by the bravery of Polish pilots.
