The Fantôme was designed in 1934 by Marcel Lobelle to meet a specification drawn up on behalf of the Belgian Aéronautique Militaire who were to hold an international competition to find a replacement for the Fairey Firefly II.

[3][4] The aircraft was powered by a 925 hp (690 kW) Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs liquid-cooled V12 engine, with provision for an engine-mounted Oerlikon 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub.

[3] The Fantôme first flew on 6 June 1935 at the Great West Aerodrome (now part of London Heathrow Airport.

[10][1][11] The fourth aircraft returned to Britain where it was acquired by the British Air Ministry, where both its flying performance and its armament were evaluated.

[12] United Kingdom Soviet Union Spain Data from The Complete Book of Fighters[1]General characteristics Performance Armament