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| Amiot 354 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Description | |
| Role | Medium Bomber |
| Crew | 4, Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Bombardier |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 47ft 6.75" |
| Wingspan | 74ft 10.75" |
| Height | 13ft 4.5" |
| Wing area | 721.18sq ft |
| Weights | |
| Empty | 10,417 lbs |
| Maximum take-off | 24,912 lbs |
| Powerplant | |
| Engines | Two Gnome-et-Rhône 14N 48/49 |
| Power | 1070hp |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed | 298mph |
| Cruising speed | 217mph |
| Range | 1533 miles |
| Service ceiling | 32,810 ft |
| Armament | |
| Guns | 2-3 7.5mm MG & 0-1x 20mm cannon |
| Bombs | 2646 lbs |
The Amiot 354 was the latest in a series of fast, twin-engined bombers which fought with the Armeé de l'Air in limited numbers during the Battle of France. Derived from the Amiot 341 mail-carrier, the Amiot 351/354 suffered from production delays and sabotage which kept the plane from playing a significant role in the coming war.
The Amiot 351/354 mounted 1x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine gun in nose and ventral positions and 1x 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS 404 cannon or 1x7.5 7.5mm Darne machine gun in the dorsal position.
Model History
Amiot 351: 2x 950hp Gnome-et-Rhône 14N 38/39, twin tail (17)
Amiot 354: 2x 1070hp Gnome-et-Rhône 14N 48/49 (45)
The Amiot 351/354 saw service with the Armeé de l'Air (62)
Total production (including prototypes): 65 (86?)
Active Service
In May 1940, the Amiot 351/354 equipped just two bomber groupes: GB 1/21 and GB II/21 based at Avignon. Though 200 were in the final stages of constructions, only 35 were ready for flight. By June, they were also found in GB I/34 and GB II/34. At that time, all Amiot 351/354 were based on the northern front. By that time, only 25 were assigned to units and of those, only 15 were available for flight. Three had been lost in combat, 10 in training accidents. 8 aircraft were ordered to evacuate to Africa on June 17.
Four Amiot 351/354 were commandeered by the Luftwaffe as transports, two found service in the 1./KG200 special service geschwader.
The Amiot 351/354 continued to be used as a mail carrier.
Engines taken for use with the Messerschmitt Me 323.
