Though by the mid-1930s monoplanes were replacing biplanes, a CAMS analysis suggested that the needs of French maritime air power were better met with the older design, not least because it was thought to be more resistant to battle damage.

[2] It had equal span, single bay wings mounted without stagger and joined on each side by a pair of parallel, vertical interplane struts.

The upper wing was in three parts, a thick, rectangular centre section and two outer panels with parallel chord over about their inner halves, narrowing to long, semi-elliptical tips.

It was built from transverse and longitudinal light alloy frames and covered with védal, duralumin with an outer layer of aluminium for protection from sea-water.

He could also operate one of the two machine guns on mounts just aft of the windows or use a position in the roof from which, behind a folding glass windscreen, he could observe in the open air.

On top of the fuselage, offset to port, was a long glazed cabin which seated two pilots in tandem, provided with dual control.

[1] The wooden empennage was conventional, with a wire braced, constant chord tailplane mounted around one third fin height; its construction was similar to that of the wing.

[4] It was not ordered by the French Navy,[3] who by then had realised that no large biplane could begin to match the speeds of the new generation of monoplanes with retractable undercarriages.