The Story of Amiot 143, World War II’s Weirdest Bomber

Origins in a Changing World

In the world of early aviation, few aircraft looked as strange—or lasted as long—as the Amiot 143. Often criticized for its awkward shape and boxy frame, the bomber stood out even in an era full of experimental designs. It was built by the French in the 1930s and became known as one of the oddest military aircraft to see action in World War II. But despite its strange appearance, it managed to serve a useful role during a time of great change in military aviation.

The idea behind the plane came in 1928 when the French Air Ministry called for a new type of multi-role aircraft. This concept, known as the Multiplace de Combat, was influenced by the theories of an Italian general who believed one aircraft should handle several missions—bombing, long-range reconnaissance, and even escort duties. France, still dealing with the financial strain after World War I, hoped to save money by building a single plane that could perform many tasks.

Designing for Versatility

Several companies answered the ministry’s request, but it was the firm led by Félix Amiot that stood out. Amiot was a pioneer in the use of all-metal construction, which was a modern idea at the time. Most other planes still used wood and fabric. His company proposed the Amiot 140, a high-wing monoplane built for flexibility. The plane had a strong metal frame with corrugated skin for added strength. It carried a crew of five and included an unusual glass gondola under the front fuselage, which gave the bombardier a better view and firing angle.

However, the aircraft faced problems from the start. It was supposed to use advanced water-cooled engines, but these weren’t available. So the first version had to make do with less powerful engines. Its first flight in 1931 showed that it needed improvement. Over the next few years, engineers reworked the design—changing the landing gear, the bomb bay, and eventually the engines.

Production and Delays

By 1933, the French military had moved on to a new plan for bombers called the BCR program, which meant even more requirements for the aircraft. As a temporary solution, they placed an order for 40 improved planes. These would become the Amiot 143, powered by Gnome-Rhône radial engines and featuring several upgrades.

Still, the plane’s development took too long. The first production aircraft didn’t fly until 1934, and by the time it entered service in 1935, aviation had moved ahead. Sleeker bombers with retractable landing gear and faster speeds were becoming the new standard. The Amiot 143, with its fixed gear and old-fashioned look, already seemed outdated. Yet the French Air Force accepted the aircraft, hoping that its ability to serve in multiple roles would make up for its lack of speed.

Technical Features and Limitations

The Amiot 143 was large. It stretched over 18 meters long, with a wingspan of more than 24 meters. It stood as tall as a two-story house and weighed over 10,000 kilograms when fully loaded. Its body was made entirely of duralumin, a lightweight aluminum alloy that helped offset its size. Two 14-cylinder radial engines gave it a top speed of 295 kilometers per hour, which was considered average in the mid-1930s but slow by the time the war began.

Its range was about 1,300 kilometers, enough to fly from Paris to Berlin. It could climb to over 7,000 meters, and the crew could even access the engines mid-flight by crawling through the wings—a useful feature, especially during long missions. But despite these details, the plane’s old design held it back.

Unusual Details and Service

Perhaps the strangest part of the Amiot 143 was its appearance. It had a fixed undercarriage covered in bulky fairings, a feature that made it slower and more vulnerable during combat. While other countries were moving toward retractable gear for better speed, this plane kept its landing gear out in the open. Another unusual choice was the pilot’s open cockpit. Unlike the enclosed spaces given to the gunners and bombardier, the pilot sat exposed to the wind and weather—a design choice that belonged more to the early 1920s than the late 1930s.

Despite all this, the Amiot 143 went into action in the early years of World War II. It served mainly in night bombing and reconnaissance roles. By then, it was clearly outclassed by newer designs, but it kept flying until it was finally replaced. Its long service life, despite its flaws, showed just how stretched air forces could be when war came sooner than expected.