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France's Amiot 143 twin engine bomber1
Amiot 143:
Design
The Amiot 143 was designed for a Armée de l'Air 1928 specification that called for a day and night long range bomber, escort, and reconnaissance aircraft.1,2
The Amiot 143 was an all metal design.2
Prototype
Amiot, Blériot, Breguet and SPCA submitted prototypes and the Amiot 140 was picked.1,2 The 143 and 143M were in service from the middle 1930s.1
The 140MX prototype first flew in April 1931.2
The first flight of the Amiot 143M production model was in April 1935.2
Production
An order was placed for 40 of the Amiot 140s in late 1933.1,2 With a new engine this was changed to the Amiot 143.1 A total of 178 140s, 143s, and 143Ms were built.1
- Prototypes: 62
- Amiot 143M: 1382
- Total: 1442
Variants
- Amiot 140MX: Prototype with Lorraine engine (700 HP).2 Had an open cockpit.2
- Amiot 142: Prototype.2 Had Hispano-Suiza radial engines.2
- Amiot 142.01: Prototype.2 Had Gnome-Rhône radial engines (800 HP).2 Constructed in August 1934.2
- Amiot 143: First 40 were slightly shorter.1
- Amiot 143M: Main production model.1 Had supercharged Gnome-Rhône 14K engines.2 Had new defensive armament.2 Included additional fuel tanks.2
- Amiot 143 BN4: Night bomber.1
- Amiot 143 B5: Day bomber.1
- Amiot 144M: Experimental model.2 Had new wings and retractable landing gear.2
- Amiot 150BE: Experimental torpedo bomber.2 Had new wings and undercarriage that could be change to either floats or wheels.2
Usage
The Armée de l'Air used the Amiot 143M starting in July 1935.2
Start of World War II
After France declared war these were used for night reconnaissance and leaflet dropping.1,2
After the invasion of France they were used against the bridges of Sedan on May 14, 1940.1,2 They were also used against railways and bridges in Belgium, France, and Germany.1
There were six bomber groups that were equipped with the Amiot 143M.2
Vichy
The Vichy government used them as transports mostly in North Africa until 1944.1,2
| Amiot 1431 | Amiot 143M1 Amiot 143M2 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type | Night bomber1 Reconnaissance1,2 |
|
| Crew | 51,2 | |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Gnome-Rhône 14 Kirs/Kjrs Mistral Major1 2: Gnome-Rhône 14K Mistral Major2 |
|
| Cylinders | Radial 141,2 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 870 each1, 900 each2 | |
| Propeller blades | 3 each2 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 80' 5"1, 80' 6"2 24.53 m1,2 |
|
| Length | 59'1 17.951 |
59' 10"1, 59' 11"2 18.26 m1,2 |
| Height | 18' 6"1, 18' 8"2 5.68 m1,2 |
|
| Wing area | 1,076 ft2 1 100 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 13,420 lb1, 13,448 lb2 6,100 kg1,2 |
|
| Normal load | 19,568 lb2 8,876 kg2 |
|
| Loaded | 21,385 lb1,2 9,700 kg1,2 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 13,000' / 4,000 m |
192 mph1 310 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 13,120' / 4,000 m |
193 mph2 310 kph2 |
|
| Cruising speed | 154-168 mph2 248-270 kph2 |
|
| Climb to 13,000' / 4,000 m with 18,942 lb / 8,610 kg |
14' 20"1 | |
| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000' |
14.3 minutes2 | |
| Service ceiling | 25,920'2, 26,000'1 7,900 m1,2 |
|
| Range | 745 miles1, 746 miles2 1,200 km1,2 |
|
| Range - maximum | 1,240 miles2 1,995 km2 |
|
| Armament | 4: 7.7 mm Lewis MG1 | 4: 7.5 mm MAC 1934 MG1 |
| Nose turret | 1: 7.5 mm MG2 | |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 7.5 mm MG2 | |
| Gondola | 2: 7.5 mm MG2 | |
| Bombs external racks | 1,760 lb1 800 kg1 |
|
| Bombs internal | 1,760 lb1 800 kg1 |
|
| Bombs | 3,960 lb2 1,796 kg2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
