The Amiot 354 (Model 354) had its origins in the Model 341 fast mail carrier transport. The bomber form appeared in the twin-tailed Model 351 which flew first in early 1940. Delays forced the French Air Force to order the related Model 354 offshoot as an interim measure and this form differed mainly in its use of a single vertical tail fin. The aircraft was taken on to fulfill bombing and fast reconnaissance roles just prior to the German invasion of France in World War 2 (1939-1945).
Its overall design was quite conventional for its time - though modern nonetheless. The crew of four (pilot, copilot, navigator and bombardier) all sat in the fuselage which lay at center, straddled by the engine installations fitted to each wing mainplane. The wings were near-elliptical in their general shape when viewed from above or below and the engine nacelles installed at their leading edges, each powerplant driving three-bladed propellers. The crew sections were held under a long-running greenhouse-style canopy featuring heavy framing. The nose was fully glazed for excellent vision over the upcoming terrain. A tail-dragger undercarriage was utilized which sat the main legs under each engine nacelle. The empennage made use of a single tail fin and low-mounted horizontal planes.
Power was served through 2 x Gnome Rhone 14N series 14-cylinder radial piston engines outputting 1,060 horsepower each. This provided the airframe with a maximum speed of 300 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 220 miles per hour, a range out to 1,900 miles and a service ceiling up to 32,800 feet. Rate-of-climb was 1,550 feet-per-minute.
Internally, the Model 354 could carry up to 2,650 lb of conventional drop ordnance for bomber sorties. It was defended through 1 x 20mm cannon and 2 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns. An alternative gun load out was 3 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns (the 20mm cannon being replaced).
Dimensions included a length of 37.6 feet, a height of 13.4 feet and a wingspan of 74.10 feet.
The Model 354 was formed from the existing Model 351, essentially a re-engined platform carrying either the Gnome-Rhone 14N-48 or 14N-49 radial. Over 40 of this model were eventually produced.
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STANDARD:
1 x 20mm cannon with 2 x 7.5mm MAC 1945 machine guns OR 3 x 7.5mm MAC 1934 machine guns (additional machine gun replaced the 20mm cannon installation.
OPTIONAL:
Maximum internal bomb load of up to 2,650 lb.
0 Hardpoints
Model 354 - Base Series Designation; based on the earlier Model 351, itself born from the Model 341 fast mail carrier; fitted with 2 x Gnome-Rhone 14N radial engines and featuring single vertical tail fin (as opposed to twin vertical tails).
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
30
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 300mph
Lo: 150mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (298mph).
Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (56)
56
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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