Quest 024 French fighter Caudron - Renault CR 714 C1

The Caudron CR.714 Cyclone is a French light fighter with a mainly wooden structure, a low wing structure with a classic retractable landing gear. The drive was provided by a single in-line Renault 12R01 engine with 450 HP. The flight of the prototype took place in July 1936, and the serial production was carried out in the years 1939-1940.

The CR.714 Cyclone was developed by a French aircraft designer Marcel Riffard based on sports planes produced at Caudron plants, which were mostly light machines based on many wooden elements. Due to low production costs and good performance, the French Air Force decided to introduce the CR.714 into serial production. However, in the course of operation, it turned out that the new fighter is very emergency, has a low rate of climb, and above all - due to its wooden structure - it cannot be fitted with more powerful engines. As a result, production was discontinued in 1940, and several units were exported to Finland. They were also used by Polish airmen in 1939-1940.