The first prototype of the Potez 840 executive transport made its initial flight on 29 April 1961. An all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane, it was powered by four 328kW Turbomeca Astazou II turboprops, had fully retractable tricycle landing gear, and carried a crew of three with cabin accommodation for up to 18 passengers. A second prototype, flown in June 1962, had Astazou XII engines of 447kW each.

After a sales tour in North America by the P-840.02, plans were made for a production batch of 25 Potez 840s, but in fact only two more prototypes were built, one of these being reserved for static testing. Two Potez 841 aircraft followed, powered by 417kW Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada PT6A-6 turboprops. Finally, the modified Potez 842 appeared in 1965, a second aircraft, also powerd by Astazou XIIs following two years later.

These eight light transports were the last aircraft of the Potez marque to be built; one is now exhibited at the Musee de I'Air, Paris, and a second has been restored and is flown under the auspices of the French Association Aeromedicale.