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Amiot 354

1940 WORLD WAR 2

History of Amiot 354

Amiot 354 (Model 354) Originated from the Type 341 express mail transport aircraft in bomber form in the twin-tailed Type 351 which first flew in early 1940. The delay forced the French Air Force to order a related branch of the Type 354 as an interim measure, which differed mainly in the use of a single vertical stabilizer.

The aircraft was used for bombing and rapid reconnaissance missions before the German invasion of France during World War II (1939-1945).

Its overall design was quite traditional for its time - but still modern. The four crew members (pilot, co-pilot, navigator and bombardier) all sat in the center of the fuselage, spanned by engine units attached to each main-wing aircraft.

Viewed from above or below, the wing is roughly oval in shape, with engine nacelles mounted on its leading edge, each driving a three-bladed propeller. The crew section is housed under a long-term greenhouse-like canopy with a heavy frame. The nose is fully glazed to provide an excellent view of the terrain ahead. A tail tow landing gear was used, and the main legs were located under each engine nacelle.

The empennage uses a single empennage and a low installation level aircraft.

Power is provided by 2 Gnome Rhone 14N series 14-cylinder radial piston engines, each producing 1,060 hp. This gives the airframe a top speed of 300 mph, a cruising speed of 220 mph, a range of up to 1,900 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 32,800 feet. The climb rate is 1,550 feet per minute.

Internally, the Type 354 can carry conventional artillery up to 2,650 pounds for bomber missions. It is defended by 1 x 20mm cannon and 2 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns. Another weapon loadout is 3 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns (20mm cannon replaced).

Dimensions include a length of 37.6 feet, a height of 13.4 feet, and a wingspan of 74.10 feet.

The Type 354 was formed from the existing Type 351 and was essentially a modified platform carrying a Gnome-Rhone 14N-48 or 14N-49 radial. More than 40 examples of this model were eventually produced.

By the time Germany invaded France in May 1940, the 354 model was on the market, but in limited numbers (at least 3 French factories were involved in serial production). Nonetheless, she continued to fight as best she could, conducting full-scale bombardment and rapid armed reconnaissance of German positions in the Netherlands.

There were additional deliveries in June, but it turned out to be too late. Some stocks were airlifted to Africa to avoid falling into German hands (some were rebuilt for fast shipping). Others lived miserable lives in their original non-combat mail delivery roles.

This ended the airborne era of the Type 354 and its ilk.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1940

Status:

Retired, out of service

Staff:

Production

[56 units]:

Avions Amiot - France

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

Dimensions

Length:

47.57 ft (14.5 m)

Width:

22.83m

Height:

13.39 ft (4.08 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

10,417 lb (4,725 kg)

MTOW:

11,300 kg

(difference: +14,495 pt)

Performance

2 x Gnome-Rhone 14N-48/-49 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,060 hp each.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

298 mph (480 km/h; 259 knots)

Service Limit:

32,808 ft (10,000 m; 6.21 mi)

Maximum range:

2,175 miles (3,500 km; 1,890 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

1,500 ft/min (457 m/min)

Armor

Default:

1 x 20mm gun and 2 x 7.5mm MAC 1945 machine guns or 3 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns (Additional machine guns are installed in place of 20mm guns.

Optional:

Maximum internal bomb load up to 2,650 lbs.

Changes

Model 354 - Base series designation; based on the earlier Model 351, which itself evolved from the Fast Postman Model 341; equipped with 2 Gnome-Rhone 14N radial engines and equipped with a vertical tail (instead of two vertical tail).