Inspired by the DH.88 Comet, the Caudron C.640 was intended as a fast mailplane. It first flew on 17 June 1935. Of seven C.640s built, the fifth, F-AODR, was modified to C.641 standard to set a 311 km/h (193 mph) average speed record over 5000 km. It then took part in the 1937 Istres - Damascus - Rome air race. A second C.641, YR-ADD, flew from Le Bourget to Bucharest in five hours and 40 minutes on 26 October 1936. Dual construction number 7179 and C.641-02 painted on the tailfin of this red racer with yellow trim. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)