In May 1937, the Ministry of Air issues a call for tenders to French manufacturers for the supply of a "T3" triplace aircraft, capable of carrying out observation, liaison or reconnaissance missions.
Four manufacturers respond favorably, including the company Potez, integrated in the SNCAC (National Company of Aeronautical Constructions of the North) since the nationalization. The manufacturer offers a version derived from its twin-engine civil transport, the Potez 560.
The unit is a twin-engine monoplane powered motorized by two radial engine Potez 9Ab, air-cooled of 185-hp. Made entirely of wood, it is equipped with a retractable landing gear. Compared to the civilian model, it has a dorsal turret that can receive a 7.5mm machine gun and a "tub" ventral for the observer. The new device wins the contract and under the designation Potez 566, is the subject of an order. However, of the 57 aircraft initially planned, only 3 will be made.
Naval aeronautics is also interested in the new model. Following the commercialization of the civil version Potez 561 for Air France for its African lines, the Navy orders Potez a aircraft for training and transport, and able to land on the aircraft carrier Béarn. Only one copy will be built under the designation Potez 56E. It is easily recognizable by the presence of a ventral landing stick. It is also equipped with partially folding wings. Nevertheless, the plane will be used primarily from land. The interest of the Navy for this type of aircraft does not stop there, since it orders 22 derived from the Potez 561, called Potez 567. This one received a more powerful motorization with Radial engine potez 9E of 240ch . The 22 copies will be used for target towing, transport ... At the declaration of war in September 1939, 20 copies were still present in units, 5 others will be lost before the Armistice.
The Air Force turned to Potez again to order a version derived from the Potez 560, this time mainly for training. Designated Potez 568, the aircraft adopts a turret dorsal slightly shifted to the left and intended for the instructor. The ventral console has disappeared and the engine is identical to that of the Potez 567 (Potez 9E 240 hp.) The Potez 568 will be produced 26 copies
The Germans, after their offensive of May 10, 1940, will seize 4 Potez 567 and 11 Potez 568 abandoned on the airfields. They will be used under German colors as connexion aircrafts

A  Potez 567 carrying black crosses appears among the planes of Naval Aviationused as decoys on the Querqueville site in September 1940

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