The C-201 was the result of an agreement between the Spanish government and manufacturer Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA), to develop a transport aircraft for the air force capable of carrying a payload of one tonne over a range of 1,000 km (620 mi).

The pre-production machines were planned to demonstrate a range of different equipment fits for the airframe, enabling it for a variety of roles including personnel transport, training for bombing and photo-reconnaissance work, and instrument flying training.

A number of engines were also to be evaluated, including the Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah that had powered the prototypes, the Pratt & Whitney R-1340, and the locally produced ENMASA Sirio.

[1] The Alcotán project stalled, due to problems in the supply of powerplants and propellers.

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54[2]General characteristics Performance