Amiot 143

The Amiot 143 (sometimes written as 143M or 143 M.5) was a 1930s French 5-seat Multiplace de Combat (M.5) designed to meet 1928 specifications for a monoplane capable of day and night bombing, long-range reconnaissance and bomber escort.

[1] The Amiot 140 was a high-winged cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction, with a fixed tail wheel undercarriage.

A glazed gondola under the forward fuselage carried a bombardier/gunner, ensuring that the gunners had a clear field of fire all around the aircraft.

[3] The second prototype was completed in February 1932 but the continued unavailability of its intended engines, either the original Lorraine-Dietrichs or turbocharged Hispano-Suizas, meant that it never flew.

The gondola under the fuselage was enlarged, allowing easier operation of the aircraft's guns and a radio-operator was added, bringing the crew to five.

Nose and dorsal turrets, each carrying a Lewis gun, completed the defensive armament, while the gondola also housed an internal bomb-bay.

[9] An improved version, the Amiot 144 was built to meet 1933 requirement for a Multiplace de Combat, fitted with a retractable undercarriage.

[14] Following the start of the Battle of France, the Amiot 143 was mainly used in night attacks against German airfields and lines of communications, and experienced relatively low losses.

Amiot 140M photo from Annuaire de L'Aéronautique 1931
Amiot 150 photo from L'Aerophile July 1937
Amiot 143 3-view drawing from L'Aerophile October 1934