Macchi M.C.72

The Macchi Castoldi MC72 - was an Italian seaplane, which was developed to participate in the Schneider Trophy. However, it was not ready in time for the last competition in 1931. It still holds the world speed record for propeller-driven seaplanes.

History

The first flight took place in June 1931. Due to aerodynamic problems in interaction with engine problems, their elimination was not until the spring of next year, but three aircraft crashed.

Construction

Built in four copies of Macchi aircraft is a single-seater with two floats. Designed by Mario Castoldi it was. The MC72 was equipped with two successively arranged counter-rotating propellers, so that outweighed the torques. The 24-cylinder V-engine Fiat AS.6 actually consisted of two Fiat AS.5 engines, which were mounted one behind the other. The construction made ​​in the first versions about 2,600 hp ( 1,900 kW).

Use

The engine power of the last specimen was increased later to 3100 hp. With this machine, the pilot Francesco Agello presented on 23 October 1934 on the Lake Garda with 709.202 km / h world speed record for airplanes. It was only in 1939 by a land plane ( Heinkel He 100 and Messerschmitt Me 209 ) and in 1961 by the broken jet-propelled seaplane Beriev Be -10.

Specifications

Aircraft received

The record aircraft is located in the Italian Aviation Museum Vigna di Valle.