The Potez 53, a single-seater low-wing racing plane, was built in five months on a whim by Henry Potez, who was determined to take part in the Deutsch de la Meurthe Cup in May 1933: two times 621.4 miles (1,000 km) with stopover. The plane flew for the first time in April 1933. The two examples built were intended for the two test pilots of the Potez factory, Gustave Lemoine and Georges Détré. It was the latter who won the race and the cup, with an average speed of 200.57 mph (322.8 km/h). Shortly before the Second World War, Henry Potez offered Georges Détré’s Potez 53-3402 to the Musée de l’Air (Air Museum).