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| Amiot 143M | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Description | |
| Role | Medium Bomber |
| Crew | 5, Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Bombardier, Gunner |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 59ft 11" |
| Wingspan | 80ft 5.75" |
| Height | 18ft 7.75" |
| Wing area | 1076.39 ft^2 |
| Weights | |
| Empty | 13,448 lbs |
| Maximum take-off | 21,385 lbs |
| Powerplant | |
| Engines | Two Gnome-et-Rhône 14Kirs/jrs Mistral-Major |
| Power | 870 hp |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed | 193 mph |
| Cruising speed | 154 mph |
| Combat range | 750 miles |
| Ferry range | 1240 miles |
| Service ceiling | 25,920 ft |
| Armament | |
| Guns | 4-6x MAC 1934 7.5mm machine guns |
| Bombs | 3960 lbs |
The Amiot 143M was a late 1930s French medium bomber originally conceived as a "multiplace de combat": an all-purpose aircraft which would be used as bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and escort fighter. Felix Amiot’s 1925 design was selected in 1928 for production over rivals Bleriot 137, Breguet 410 and SPCA 30. The prototype designated Amiot 140 flew in 1931, but actual production of the aging design did not begin until 1935 and continued for lack of a replacement until 1938.
Despite the ungainly two-tiered structure, slow and unmaneuverable performance, and obsolescent architecture, the Amiot 143M was a sturdy plane which was popular with its pilots. Notable were the very thick wings whose engines were accessible in flight.
The Amiot 143M production model mounted a turret in the nose and dorsal turrets, both of which housed one or two 7.5mm MAC 1934 MGs. In addition, a single 7.5mm MAC 1934 MGs was mounted in both fore and aft of the ventral bombing gondola.
Model History
Amiot 143M Only production Model (138 built)
The Amiot 143 saw service with the Armeé de l'Air (138)
Total production (including prototypes): 144
Active Service
The Amiot 143M entered service in July, 1935. The design was already ten years old and was quite out of date. Nevertheless, sixty Amiot 143M equipped six bomber groupes at the start of the war. As of May 10, 1940, only four groupes were equipped them: GBs I/34 and II/34 in the north, GBs I/38 and II/38 in the East.
During the Phoney War, Amiot 143M groupes carried out reconnaissance and leaflet raids over Germany. Upon the start of the Battle of France, the Amiot 143M was used in night attacks on German lines of communications. The most significant action involving the Amiot 143M was a daring daylight raid on German bridgeheads near Sedan took place on May 14, 1940. A force of thirteen planes from GBs I/34, II/34, and II/38 led by Commandant de Laubier encountered German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters en route. Twelve bombers were destroyed.
By the time of the Armistice, the Amiot 143M had dropped a total of 523 tons of bombs.
The Amiot 143M served as a transport for the French in North Africa from 1941-1944.
A few Amiot 143M are reported to have been commandeered by the Germans and used as transports.
