Slawomir Bialkowski, e-mail, 09.04.2025 14:17 In Poland. At the beginning of 1940, the French government intended to send a military contingent to Finland, which would also include Poles. The 1/145 "Warszawski" squadron equipped with Caudron C-714C1 "Cyclone" aircraft was to go to Scandinavia. In this way, the French would get rid of unwanted aircraft and an "inconvenient" ally. Ultimately, however, this contingent was not sent. Just a few months later, in May 1940, the German invasion of France began, so sending troops abroad was out of the question. The first CR-714s were sent to the Lyon-Bron base, where Polish volunteers were located. They arrived there in March 1940 and training flights began soon after. The delivered Caudrons (at least 11) were used in the Fighter Training Squadron CWL to train fighter pilots. Several (3 or 4) of them were later transferred to GC 1/145. During the French Campaign, only Poles performed combat flights on CR-714C1. The aircraft entered the service of the GC 1/145 fighter squadron. On 21.05.1940, there were 22 aircraft in service. However, they did not arouse any enthusiasm. Problems with the engine, landing gear, and the propeller pitch change mechanism were highlighted. The pilots informed the Minister of Aviation, who visited the unit on 25.05. As a result, the minister issued a ban on flights on CR-714. However, due to the lack of new aircraft, the Poles continued to perform combat flights on these aircraft at their own risk. The Poles achieved a number of victories in air combat, as well as suffering severe losses. On 9.06.1940, it was decided to re-equip GC 1/145 with Bloch MB-152 aircraft, the first 3 aircraft of this type arrived on 12.06.1940 and were assigned to GC 1/145. The history of Caudrons in GC 1/145 was to come to an end in this way. It did not manage to do so, before the war operations ended. In total, out of 38 CR-714s received, the squadron left 11 operational aircraft. Another 13 were left at airports during evacuation, when the lack of spare parts made it impossible to repair them. Irretrievable losses amounted to 14 aircraft, of which only 3 were lost in direct combat, the rest were damaged during landings.

ubaTaeCJ, e-mail, 21.02.2025 21:26 20

GrahamClayton, e-mail, 29.12.2024 08:36 The lone prototype C.760 was powered by an Isotta-Fraschini Delta RC-40 12 cylinder engine, and the lone prototype C.770 was powered by a Renault 626 16-cylinder V-engine.

Robert Willis, e-mail, 30.08.2020 01:06 The Caudron 714 was fully developed & ready for series production by the autumn of 1938. Despite costing only half as much as a Bloch 151, the C 714 matched the MB 151's speed & armament, had almost twice the range, was more maneuverable, & far more fuel efficient. The Cyclone's biggest advantage is that Renault could have delivered large numbers of the 475 - 500 hp 12R engine cheaply & quickly at a time when engine shortages were the key factor in limiting combat aircraft production. The harshest critics of the C-714 proceed on the absurd assumption that the Luftwaffe was France's only potential opponent. Although it was foolish to deploy the C-714s against the Germans, these inexpensive lightweight fighters would still have been effective against most Italian aircraft in 1940. It was also possible that Franco's forces might have joined her Axis partners in attacking France. If so, the C-714 would have been able to at least hold it's own against most of the types in the Spanish Nationalist Air Force. It should also be noted that at the time of the German attack, over 100 D-510s & other obsolete fighters were still in service with various ECRs (Regional Defense Squadrons) throughout metropolitan France. Had these units been equipped with Caudrons, they would have been far more effective. The C-714 would also have made a good advanced trainer; suitable to play the role of the Me-109 in DACT against D-501s simulating the MS 406 or Hawk 75. Despite being greatly outnumbered, Polish pilots (the only ones who flew the type in the Battle of France) scored 12 confirmed and three unconfirmed victories in three battles between 8 June and 11 June, losing nine in the air and nine more on the ground. Among the aircraft they shot down were four Dornier Do 17 bombers, three Messerschmitt Bf 109s, and five Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters. That said, considering the large numbers of MS 406 fighters already available in reserve, it is strange that French authorities obliged these highly skilled & committed Poles to make do with the Caudron. As for the Winter War in Finland, the Caudron was not up to the harsh conditions when compared to such relatively robust machines as the Gladiator & MS 406. For example, the higher landing speed of the C 714 made it unsuitable for operations from frozen lakes.

Klaatu83, e-mail, 02.01.2012 21:44 This was another unsuccessful attempt by the French to develop a "lightweight fighter". The only really successful aircraft of this genre developed during WW-II was the Yak-3 which, ironically, ended up being flown by ex-patriot French pilots. Six C.714 fighters were delivered to Finland where, despite a shortage of modern combat aircraft, they were deemed to be useless.

Marcin Nevinyrral, e-mail, 07.05.2011 21:57 Polish pilots scored 12 confirmed and three unconfirmed victories in three battles, losing nine in the air and nine more on the ground. among the aircraft shot down were four Dornier Do 17 bombers, but also three Messerschmitt Bf 109 and five Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters. Well Polish pilotdidn't get any other craft so even when French Minister of war ordered C.714s to be withdrawn from service they continued to fly on them. C.714 wasstill better then polish PZL P.24

lucas boaventura, e-mail, 11.03.2011 15:16 não é nem ruim ,nem bom é fica na média

leo rudnicki, e-mail, 30.04.2009 01:27 My source was a pilot who crash-landed after no success. I wasn't aware of any documented records kept at that time regarding claims vs losses. I am sure Spitfires fit their temperment much better.

Greg, 30.04.2009 00:46 Well, Poles operating 35 of those a/c claimed 12 enemy a/c shot down and 2 possible - not bad, I say Leo!

leo rudnicki, e-mail, 29.04.2009 01:11 The French pilots wouln't go near them, only the Poles and only because they had guns and because they weren't getting better craft. the result of Polish encounters was inevitably disastrous. The Caudron was not a good aircraft let alone a good fighter, and unreliable to boot.

Gorka L Martinez Mezo, e-mail, 04.03.2007 21:23 Hinged

Bill Cronk, e-mail, 21.02.2007 20:34 I would like to know how the canopy works in this aircraft. Does it roll down? is it hindged? Thank you, Bill Cronk