The Avia 40-P was intended as an economical glider suitable for clubs and individuals but with a competitive performance capable of record setting.

It was the most popular pre-war French glider, with more than forty built and it continued to set records immediately after World War II.

They therefore decided to market a smaller glider, designed by Cartier,[1] with a span of 14.9 m (48 ft 11 in) which would be less costly and easier for the typical club pilot to manage.

The wings of the Avia 40-P had unbroken straight taper in plan, lacked the strong camber of the 41-P's centre section, and were built around plywood leading edge torsion box spars.

[2] The number that survived the war is also uncertain but it is known that three of the fourteen taken to Germany and used to train Hitler Youth pilots were recovered by British troops.