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.