Aiming to break the world speed record, Marcel Riffard, chief designer at Société des Avions Caudron, developed a record-breaking aircraft designated C.712. Equipped with a 730 hp Renault 468 engine, it made its first flight on December 24, 1936.
An accident prevented the C.712 from completing its record flight, although its estimated speed was quite remarkable, exceeding 620 km/h. At this time in Germany, Willy Messerschmitt and his Bf 108V-13, powered by a 1650 hp DB 601R engine, managed to set an official world speed record of 610.95 km/h.
The Genesis of the C.714R
Impressed by this achievement, Marcel Riffard decided to modify his aircraft to fit a 900 hp Renault 12R racing engine. Calculations indicated it should propel the light aircraft (maximum mass 1225 kilograms) to a speed of 720-730 km/h.
The aircraft was first shown under the designation C.712R (where the letter R stood for “Record,” not “Renault”) at the 1938 Paris Airshow. Very soon, the designation was changed to C.714R, hoping its anticipated success would boost sales of the CR.714 fighter.
A Flight Never Achieved
However, the aircraft never managed to take off, thwarted by the German advance on Paris. During the occupation, it was hidden in the basement of the Renault exhibition hall on the Champs-Élysées. After the war, it became a prized exhibit at the Musee de l’Air Chalais Meudon (now the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget).
Technical Specifications
| Modification | C.714 R |
| Wingspan, m | 6.75 |
| Length, m | 8.68 |
| Height, m | 1.85 |
| Wing area, m2 | 7.00 |
| Empty weight | 1040 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1225 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Renault 12R |
| Power, hp | 1 х 900 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 730 |
| Crew | 1 |
Image and diagram gallery of the C.714R
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 C.714R |
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