The Payen 222 demonstrated the unconventional thinking about aeroplane design of Nicholas-Roland Payen in the 1930s.

It was designed as a racing aeroplane but made little impact because of the outbreak of World War II.

The Payen 22 was planned to be powered by a jet engine, but this was not available in the late 1930s so the interim Payen 222 was fitted with a piston engine.

Construction began on early 1939, with the intention of competing in the Coupe Deutsch de la Meurth air race, but it was put into storage shortly after World War II commenced.

After the German invasion of France German authorities became interested in this unconventional design so it was repainted in German colours and made it’s first flight on 18 October 1941.

However the design concept did not offer any real advantage over conventional aeroplanes so interest in it waned and it was finally destroyed by allied bombing in 1944.

This model represents the sole Payen 222 as it appeared before being taken over by the Germans in 1940.

RS Models 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in February 2012.