The Caudron C.714 was developed from a light weight racer at a time when many countries were trying to develop and manufacture cheap light weight fighters. It was not a great success and only a handful saw service.

In the mid 1930s small and fast Caudron racing aeroplanes won many prizes and inspired the company to develop the concept into a light weight fighter.

Development began in 1936 and the design passed through several stages before reaching the first C.714 that flew in September 1938.

One hundred machines were ordered and production began in the summer of 1939.

Fifty were sent to Finland but only six reached the Finnish Air Force.

Production ceased after 90 C.714s had been produced because of the fighter’s poor climb performance.

It served with only one squadron during the German attack in May 1940.

This model represents production No.24 that flew with GC I/45 in May 1940.

Heller 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 1999.