Macchi-Castoldi MC72
| Macchi-Castoldi MC72 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Racing plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Macchi |
| First flight: |
June 1931 |
| Number of pieces: |
4th |
The Macchi-Castoldi MC72 was an Italian seaplane designed to take part in the Schneider Trophy . However, it was not finished in time for the last competition in 1931. It holds the world speed record for propeller-driven seaplanes to this day .
history
The first flight took place in June 1931. However, due to aerodynamic problems in combination with engine problems, which could only be eliminated in the spring of the next year, three machines crashed.
construction
The plane, built in four by Macchi , is a single-seater with two floats . It was designed by Mario Castoldi . The MC72 was equipped with two propellers running in opposite directions one behind the other so that the torques balanced each other . The 24-cylinder V-engine Fiat AS.6 consisted of two Fiat AS.5 engines which were mounted one behind the other. In the first versions, the design developed around 2,600 hp (approx. 1,900 kW).
use
The engine output of the last example could later be increased to 3100 hp. With this machine, the pilot Francesco Agello set a world speed record for airplanes on October 23, 1934 over Lake Garda with 709.202 km / h. It was broken in 1939 by land planes ( Heinkel He 100 and Messerschmitt Me 209 ) and only in 1961 by the jet-powered flying boat Berijew Be-10 .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 8.32 m |
| span | 9.48 m |
| height | 3.3 m |
| Wing extension | 6.3 |
| Empty mass | 2800 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 3025 kg |
| Top speed | 709.202 km / h |
| Engine | Fiat AS.6 (2800 hp, later 3100 hp) |
Received aircraft
The record aircraft is in the Italian Aviation Museum Vigna di Valle .
See also
Web links
- Eberhard Kranz: Macchi MC.72. In: FliegerWeb.com. Hobby Verlag AG, accessed on January 23, 2011 (history of the MC72 with pictures).
- Macchi-Castoli MC 72. In: History of Air Racing. Century of Flight, January 28, 2008, accessed November 27, 2009 (article with pictures).
- Macchi MC 72. YouTube , accessed June 9, 2012 (original footage with sound).
- The 5th VOLTA Congress in Rome in 1935, a breakthrough in high-speed aerodynamics. (PDF; 2.7 MB) German Aerospace Society, p. 27 , accessed on November 27, 2009 .
Individual evidence
- ^ The Speed Record raised. (PDF) In: FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 1, 1934. Flightglobal.com , November 1, 1934, p. 1152 , accessed on July 7, 2017 (English).
- ↑ Macchi MC-72. In: Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare. Ministero della Difesa , accessed September 15, 2017 (Italian).