MACCHI CASTOLI M.C. 72 MODEL

The Macchi M.C. 72 is an experimental seaplane designed and built by Macchi Aeronautica, an aircraft company.

Macchi M.C. 72 was built in 1931, and was planned to compete in the final Schneider Trophy race. Unfortunately, the aircraft was unable to compete due to engine problems. Instead of halting the development program, Macchi continued work on the M.C. 72. The Macchi M.C. 72 suffered many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the aircraft. Macchi M.C. 72s design was unique with a fuselage partly metal to the cockpit and wood monocoque bolted to the front tubular portion by four bolts. The final design of M.C. 72 used a double, counter-rotating fixed-pitch propeller powered by a modified Fiat AS-6 engine generating 2,500 to 3,100 horse power.

The engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt after the M.C. 72s 35th flight. It set a new world speed record on April 1933 of 682 km/h and was piloted by Warrant Officer Francesco Agello. Further development continued as the M.C. 72s designers thought they could break the 700 km/h record and this feat was achieved on October 23, 1934, when Warrant Officer Francesco Agello piloted the plane for an average speed of 709 km/h over three passes.

As of 2006, the record remains the fastest speed ever attained by a piston engine seaplane. Though after the aircrafts success, it was never flown again. Theres one M.C. 72 currently on display at the Vignia de Valle Aircraft Museum, which is near Rome.