In January 1937, the Air
Ministry launched a program for the design of light fighter aircraft
made from non-strategic materials and available on French territory:
the three competing companies, ARSENAL, SNCASO and CAUDRON logically
propose CAUDRON "Cyclone" which will become Cr714, the ARSENAL
VG30, and the Bloch MB700. This one made its first flight on April
19, 1940, powered by a Gnome-Rhone engine 14M6 of 700cv. The aircraft
is therefore made of wood with the rear part of the fuselage covered.
The wing is monobloc and its structure is composed of two transverse
rails. This first test showed real qualities and led to some modifications
and the second flight took place on May 13, 1940.
The aircraft, with some
evolutions, gave hope for interesting performances with a speed
expected 550 km / h. Unfortunately, the events did not allow the
tests to continue, and the aircraft, seized on the Bucairfield
by the Germans, was set on fire. The planned armament consisted
of 2 Hispano HS404 20mm guns and 2 7.5mm MAC M39 machine guns
