Macchi M.C.72: Difference between revisions

M.C.72
M.C.72
General information
Type	Seaplane racing aircraft
Manufacturer	Aeronautica Macchi
Designer	Mario Castoldi
Primary user	Kingdom of Italy
Number built	5
History
First flight	July 1931
Retired	23 October 1934 (last flight)

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The Macchi M.C. 72 is an experimental floatplane designed and built by the Italian aircraft company Macchi Aeronautica. The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. In 1933 and 1934 it set world speed records for piston engine-powered seaplanes; the latter still stands.

Design and development

The Macchi M.C. 72 was one of a series of seaplanes developed by Macchi Aeronautica. In the 1920s, Macchi focused on speed and on winning the Schneider Trophy. In 1922 the company hired aircraft designer Mario Castoldi to design high-speed aircraft.

In 1926 the company won the trophy with the M.39, which attained a top speed of 396 km/h (246 mph). Further aircraft, the M.52, M.52R and the M.67, were designed and built but victory in the Schneider races kept eluding the Italians. Castoldi then designed the M.C. 72, a single-seater aircraft with two floats powered by a modified FIAT AS.6 supercharged V24 engine, generating around 1,900-2,300 kW (2,500-3,100 hp),^[1] driving contra-rotating propellers.

The forward part of the M.C. 72's fuselage is constructed of metal; aft of the cockpit it is of wood, with a wood skin over a structure of bulkheads and longerons^[2] attached to the front section with four bolts.^[3] The nose enclosed an oil tank with its outside wall exposed to the airstream. The wing was all metal, with flat tubular water radiators faired into the wings. The twin floats had three radiators on the outer surfaces, the forward radiator for water and the centre and rear radiators for oil cooling.^[3] The float struts also had water radiators and another radiator was fitted during hot conditions under the fuselage running from cockpit to tail.^[3]

The M.C. 72 was built in 1931 for what turned out to be the final Schneider Trophy race, but due to engine problems was unable to compete.

Instead of halting development, Macchi continued work on the M.C. 72. Benito Mussolini personally took an interest in seeing development of the M.C. 72 continue and directed state funds to the company.^[4]

Operational history

For two years, the M.C. 72 suffered from many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the M.C. 72 (first Monti and then Bellini). After 35 flights the engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt.^[3] The aircraft finally lived up to expectations when it set a new world speed record (over water) on 10 April 1933, with a speed of 682 km/h (424 mph). It was piloted by Warrant Officer Francesco Agello (the last qualified test pilot). Not satisfied, development continued as the aircraft's designers thought they could surpass 700 km/h (430 mph) with the M.C. 72. This was achieved on 23 October 1934, when Agello piloted the M.C. 72 at an average speed of 709.207 km/h (440.681 mph)^[5] over three passes. This record remains (as of 2019) the highest speed ever attained by a piston-engined seaplane. After this success the M.C.72 was never flown again.

Speed record

The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. For comparison, the record holder for a land-based aircraft was held (for a time) by the Hughes H-1 Racer with a top speed of only 566 km/h (352 mph). Then, in 1939, two German racing aircraft surpassed the M.C. 72. The first was a Heinkel prototype fighter which reached the speed of 746 km/h (464 mph). The second was the Messerschmitt Me 209, built by Messerschmitt solely for the purpose of setting a new world speed record, which it achieved with a speed of 756 km/h (470 mph) on April 26 – less than 5 months before the start of World War II. The current world speed record for a piston-engined aircraft is 531.53 mph (855.41 km/h) set by a modified P-51 Mustang named Voodoo over three km in 2017. However, the M.C. 72 record still stands as the world's fastest propeller-driven seaplane.

Surviving aircraft

One M.C. 72, the aircraft that took the world record, survives. It is on display at the Italian Air Force Museum, near Rome.

Specifications

Data from Flying-boats and Seaplanes since 1910.^[6]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.48 m (31 ft 1 in)
Width: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 15 m² (160 sq ft)
Airfoil: Biconvex^[7]
Empty weight: 2,505 kg (5,523 lb)
Gross weight: 2,907 kg (6,409 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,031 kg (6,682 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Fiat AS.6 24-cylinder coupled V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 2,126 kW (2,851 hp)
Propellers: 4-bladed contra-rotating fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 709.209 km/h (440.682 mph, 382.942 kn) (world speed record)

References

Notes

^ Cowin 1999, p. 45.
^ James 1981 p.242
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Kinert 1969, p. 35.
^ Taylor 1980, pp. 618, 796.
^ Colin, 1999, p.45
^ Munson 1971, p. 41.
^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography

Cowin, Hugh W. The Risk Takers, A Unique Pictorial Record 1908-1972: Racing & Record-setting Aircraft (Aviation Pioneer 2). London: Osprey Aviation, 1999. ISBN 1-85532-904-2.
James, Derek N. Schneider Trophy Aircraft 1913-1931. London: Putnam, 1981. ISBN 0370303288
Kinert, Reed. Racing Planes and Air Races: A Complete History, Vol. 1 1909-1923. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1969.
Munson, Kenneth. Flying-boats and Seaplanes since 1910 (Blandford Colour Series: The Pocket Encyclopedia of World Aircraft in Colour). London: Blandford Press, 1971. ISBN 0-7137-0537-X.
Taylor, Michael J.H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation (Vol. 4). Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Educational Corporation, 1980. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.

External links

[Cowin_p._45.-1] Cowin 1999, p. 45.

[2] James 1981 p.242

[Kinert-3] Kinert 1969, p. 35.

[4] Taylor 1980, pp. 618, 796.

[5] Colin, 1999, p.45

[6] Munson 1971, p. 41.

[Selig-7] Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Italian experimental seaplane}}
 <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
-{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
+{{Infobox aircraft
   |name =M.C.72
-  |image =Macchi MC72.jpg
+  |image =Macchi M.C.72.jpg
-  |caption =A M.C.72 on the ground
+  |caption =
-}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
   |type =[[Seaplane]] [[racing]] aircraft
   |manufacturer =[[Aermacchi|Aeronautica Macchi]]
   |designer =[[Mario Castoldi]]
-  |first flight =July 1931
+  |first_flight =July 1931
-  |introduced =
+  |introduction =
   |retired =23 October 1934 (last flight)
   |status =
-  |primary user =[[Kingdom of Italy]]
+  |primary_user =[[Kingdom of Italy]]
-  |more users =
+  |more_users =
   |produced =
-  |number built =5
+  |number_built =5
   |unit cost =
-  |variants with their own articles =
+  |variants =
 }}
-|}
+The '''Macchi M.C. 72''' is an experimental [[floatplane]] designed and built by the [[Italy|Italian]] aircraft company [[Aermacchi|Macchi Aeronautica]]. The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. In 1933 and 1934 it set world speed records for piston engine-powered seaplanes; the latter still stands.
-[[File:Macchi M.C.72.jpg|300px|right|thumb]]
-The '''Macchi M.C. 72''' was an experimental [[seaplane]] designed and built by the [[Italy|Italian]] aircraft company [[Macchi|Macchi Aeronautica]]. The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. In 1933 and 1934, it set a world speed record for piston engine-powered seaplanes which still stands.
 ==Design and development==
+[[File:Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72 2009-06-06.jpg|thumb|left|Preserved Macchi M.C.72 in Italy at the'' Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle'']]
-The Macchi M.C. 72 was one of a series of seaplanes developed by Macchi Aeronautica. An earlier model, the [[Macchi M.24|M.24]] was a twin-engine [[flying boat]] armed with [[machine gun]]s and capable of carrying a [[torpedo]]. Later in the 1920s, Macchi focused on speed and on winning the [[Schneider Trophy]]. In 1922, the company hired aircraft designer [[Mario Castoldi]] to design high-speed aircraft.
+The Macchi M.C. 72 was one of a series of seaplanes developed by Macchi Aeronautica. In the 1920s, Macchi focused on speed and on winning the [[Schneider Trophy]]. In 1922 the company hired aircraft designer [[Mario Castoldi]] to design high-speed aircraft.
-In 1926, the company won the trophy with the [[Macchi M.39|M.39]] which attained a top speed of 396&nbsp;km/h (246&nbsp;mph). Further aircraft, the M.52, M.52R and the M.67, were designed and built but victory in the Schneider races kept eluding the Italians. Castoldi then designed the ultimate racing seaplane, the M.C. 72, a single-seater aircraft with two floats.
+In 1926 the company won the trophy with the [[Macchi M.39|M.39]], which attained a top speed of {{convert|396|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Further aircraft, the M.52, M.52R and the M.67, were designed and built but victory in the Schneider races kept eluding the Italians. Castoldi then designed the M.C. 72, a single-seater aircraft with two floats powered by a modified [[Fiat Aviazione|FIAT]] [[Fiat AS.6|AS.6]] supercharged [[V24 engine]], generating around 1,900-2,300&nbsp;kW (2,500-3,100&nbsp;hp),<ref name= "Cowin p. 45.">Cowin 1999, p. 45.</ref> driving [[contra-rotating propellers]].
-The M.C. 72 design was unique with a [[fuselage]] partly metal to the [[cockpit]] and wood [[Monocoque#Aircraft|monocoque]] bolted to the front tubular portion by four bolts.<ref name="Kinert">Kinert 1969, p. 35.</ref> The streamlined nose contours enclosed an [[Motor oil|oil]] tank with its outside wall exposed to the airstream. The wing was all metal with flat tubular water radiators smoothly faired into the wings. The twin pontoons had three smoothly-faired [[radiator]]s on the outer surfaces, the forward radiator for water and the centre and rear radiators for oil cooling.<ref name="Kinert"/> The float struts also featured water radiators and another radiator was fitted during hot conditions under the fuselage running from cockpit to tail.<ref name="Kinert"/>
+The forward part of the M.C. 72's [[fuselage]] is constructed of metal; aft of the [[cockpit]] it is of wood, with a wood skin over a structure of bulkheads and longerons<ref>James 1981 p.242</ref>  attached to the front section with four bolts.<ref name="Kinert">Kinert 1969, p. 35.</ref> The nose enclosed an [[Motor oil|oil]] tank with its outside wall exposed to the airstream. The wing was all metal, with flat tubular water radiators faired into the wings. The twin floats had three radiators on the outer surfaces, the forward radiator for water and the centre and rear radiators for oil cooling.<ref name="Kinert"/> The float struts also had water radiators and another radiator was fitted during hot conditions under the fuselage running from cockpit to tail.<ref name="Kinert"/>
-The M.C. 72 was built in 1931 with the idea of competing for what turned out to be the final Schneider Trophy race, but due to engine problems, the M.C. 72 was unable to compete.
+The M.C. 72 was built in 1931 for what turned out to be the final Schneider Trophy race, but due to engine problems was unable to compete.
-[[File:FIAT AS.6 istallato sull'idro MC.72 senza le capotes laterali.jpg|thumb|right| FIAT AS.6 installation]]
-[[File:Macchi MC72, 2.jpg|thumb|Warrant Officer [[Francesco Agello]], test pilot of the Macchi M.C. 72]]
 Instead of halting development, Macchi continued work on the M.C. 72. [[Benito Mussolini]] personally took an interest in seeing development of the M.C. 72 continue and directed state funds to the company.<ref>Taylor 1980, pp. 618, 796.</ref>
 ==Operational history==
-For two years, the M.C. 72 suffered from many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the M.C. 72 (first Monti and then Bellini). The final design of M.C. 72 used  [[contra-rotating propellers]] powered by a modified [[Fiat Aviazione|FIAT]] [[Fiat AS.6|AS.6]] supercharged [[V24 engine]] generating some 1,900-2,300&nbsp;kW (2,500-3,100&nbsp;hp).<ref name= "Cowin p. 45.">Cowin 1999, p. 45.</ref>
+For two years, the M.C.&nbsp;72 suffered from many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the M.C.&nbsp;72 (first Monti and then Bellini).
+After 35 flights the engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt.<ref name="Kinert"/> The aircraft finally lived up to expectations when it set a new world speed record (over water) on 10 April 1933, with a speed of {{convert|682|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. It was piloted by Warrant Officer [[Francesco Agello]] (the last qualified test pilot). Not satisfied, development continued as the aircraft's designers thought they could surpass {{convert|700|km/h|abbr=on}} with the M.C. 72. This was achieved on 23 October 1934, when Agello piloted the M.C. 72 at an average speed of {{cvt|440.681|mph|order=flip}}<ref>Colin, 1999, p.45</ref> over three passes. This record remains (as of 2019) the highest speed ever attained by a piston-engined seaplane. After this success the M.C.72 was never flown again.
-After 35 flights, the engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt.<ref name="Kinert"/> The aircraft finally lived up to expectations when it set a new world speed record (over water) on 10 April 1933, with a speed of 682&nbsp;km/h (423.5&nbsp;mph). It was piloted by Warrant Officer [[Francesco Agello]] (the last qualified test pilot). Not satisfied, development continued as the aircraft's designers thought they could break 700&nbsp;km/h (434.7&nbsp;mph) with the M.C. 72. This feat was in fact achieved on 23 October 1934, when Agello piloted the M.C. 72 for an average speed of 709.2&nbsp;km/h (440.7&nbsp;mph) over three passes. This record remains (as of 2016) the fastest speed ever attained by a piston-engine seaplane. After this success, the M.C.72 was never flown again.
 ===Speed record===
-The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. For comparison, the record holder for a land-based aircraft was held (for a time) by the [[Hughes H-1 Racer]] with a top speed of only 566&nbsp;km/h (352&nbsp;mph). Then in 1939, two German racing aircraft passed the M.C. 72. The first was a [[Heinkel He 100#World speed record|Heinkel prototype fighter]] which reached the speed of 746&nbsp;km/h (463&nbsp;mph). The second was the [[Messerschmitt Me 209]], built by Messerschmitt solely for the purpose of setting a new world speed record, which it achieved at 756&nbsp;km/h (469&nbsp;mph) on April 26 – less than 5 months before the start of [[World War II]]. The current world speed record for a piston-engine aircraft is 528.33&nbsp;mph (850.26&nbsp;km/h) set by a heavily modified [[Grumman F8F Bearcat]] named ''[[Rare Bear]]'' over three km in 1989. However, the M.C. 72 record still stands today as the world's fastest propeller-driven seaplane.
+The M.C. 72 held the world speed record for all aircraft for five years. For comparison, the record holder for a land-based aircraft was held (for a time) by the [[Hughes H-1 Racer]] with a top speed of only {{convert|566|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Then, in 1939, two German racing aircraft surpassed the M.C. 72. The first was a [[Heinkel He 100#World speed record|Heinkel prototype fighter]] which reached the speed of {{convert|746|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The second was the [[Messerschmitt Me 209]], built by Messerschmitt solely for the purpose of setting a new world speed record, which it achieved with a speed of {{convert|756|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on April 26 – less than 5 months before the start of [[World War II]]. The current world speed record for a piston-engined aircraft is {{convert|531.53|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} set by a modified [[P-51 Mustang]] named ''[[Voodoo (aircraft)|Voodoo]]'' over three km in 2017. However, the M.C. 72 record still stands as the world's fastest propeller-driven seaplane.
+==Surviving aircraft==
-==Survivors==
-[[File:Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72 2009-06-06.jpg|thumb|Preserved Macchi M.C.72 in Italy at the'' Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle'']]
 One M.C. 72, the aircraft that took the world record, survives. It is on display at the [[Italian Air Force Museum]], near Rome.
-==Specifications (M.C.72)==
+==Specifications==
-[[File:Macchi MC.72.svg|thumb|300px|Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72]]
+[[File:Macchi MC.72.svg|thumb|Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72]]
 {{Aircraft specs
-|ref=Flying-boats and Seaplanes since 1910<ref>Munson 1971, p. 41.</ref>
+|ref=''Flying-boats and Seaplanes since 1910.''<ref>Munson 1971, p. 41.</ref>
 |prime units?=met
 <!--
@@ Line 75: / Line 71: @@
 |eng1 name=[[Fiat AS.6]]
 |eng1 type=24-cylinder coupled V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
-|eng1 kW=2126
+|eng1 kw=2126
 |prop blade number=4
 |prop name=contra-rotating fixed-pitch propeller
@@ Line 116: / Line 111: @@
 |similar aircraft=
 * [[Supermarine S.6B]]
-* [[Bugatti Model 100]]
-|sequence=
 |lists=
 * [[List of seaplanes and flying boats]]
-* [[Schneider Trophy aircraft]]
+* [[List of Schneider Trophy aircraft]]
 |see also=
 }}
@@ Line 131: / Line 123: @@
 {{refbegin}}
 * Cowin, Hugh W. ''The Risk Takers, A Unique Pictorial Record 1908-1972: Racing & Record-setting Aircraft (Aviation Pioneer 2)''. London: Osprey Aviation, 1999. {{ISBN|1-85532-904-2}}.
+*James, Derek N. ''Schneider Trophy Aircraft 1913-1931''. London: Putnam, 1981. {{ISBN|0370303288}}
 * Kinert, Reed. ''Racing Planes and Air Races: A Complete History, Vol. 1 1909-1923''. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1969.
 * Munson, Kenneth. ''Flying-boats and Seaplanes since 1910 (Blandford Colour Series: The Pocket Encyclopedia of World Aircraft in Colour)''. London: Blandford Press, 1971. {{ISBN|0-7137-0537-X}}.
@@ Line 143: / Line 136: @@
 {{Macchi aircraft}}
+{{Portal bar|Italy|Companies|Aviation}}
 {{Authority control}}
+[[Category:Macchi aircraft|M.C.072]]
 [[Category:Schneider Trophy]]
 [[Category:Floatplanes]]
-[[Category:Italian experimental aircraft 1930–1939]]
+[[Category:1930s Italian experimental aircraft]]
 [[Category:Racing aircraft]]
 [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
-[[Category:Macchi aircraft|M.C.072]]
 [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
 [[Category:Aircraft with contra-rotating propellers]]

v t e Nieuport-Macchi/Macchi/Aermacchi aircraft
Nieuport-Macchi	Ni.4 Ni.6 Parasol Ni.10 Ni.11 Ni.17 Ni.29
Macchi	L.1 L.2 M.3 M.4 M.5 M.6 M.7 M.8 M.9 M.12 M.14 M.15 M.16 M.17 M.18 M.19 M.20 M.24 M.26 M.33 M.39 M.40 M.41 M.52 M.53 M.67 M.70 M.71 M.C.72 M.C.73 M.C.77 M.C.94 M.C.99 M.C.100 M.C.200 M.C.201 M.C.202 M.C.205 M.B.308 M.B.320 M.B.323
Aermacchi	MB-326 MB-335 MB-338 MB-339 MB-340 M-311/M-345
Joint ventures	AM.3 AMX M-346
Purchased designs	AL-60 S-211 SF.260 M-290