Macchi M.C. 72

Uploader: Bomberguy
Video Description: The Macchi M.C. 72 was an experimental seaplane designed and built by the Italian aircraft company Macchi Aeronautica. In 1933 and 1934 it set a world record for speed over water.
For two years the plane 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 a double, counter-rotating fixed-pitch propeller powered by a modified Fiat AS-6 engine generating some 2,500 to 3,100 horse power (thanks to supercharging).
After 35 flights, the engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt. 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 break 700 km/h with the M.C. 72. This feat was in fact achieved on 23 October 1934 when Agello piloted the plane for an average speed of 709 km/h over three passes (440 mph). This record remains (as of 2006) the fastest speed ever attained by a piston engine seaplane. After this success, the M.C.72 was never flown again.
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 passed the M.C.72. The first was a Heinkel He 100 which reached the speed of 746 km/h (464 mph). The second racer was a Messerschmitt Me 209 which set the new world speed record of 756 km/h (470 mph) in August - just days before the start of World War II. The current world speed record for a piston-engine aircraft is 850 km/h (528 mph) set by a heavily modified American F8F Bearcat named Rare Bear in 1989.
One M.C.72 is a surviving airframe, and is on display at the Vigna di Valle Aircraft Museum, near Rome.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 8.32 m (27 ft 3.5 in)
Wingspan: 9.48 m (31 ft 1.25 in)
Wing area: 15 m² (151.46 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,505 kg (5,512 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,907 kg (6,409 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,031 kg (6,669 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Fiat AS-6 Liquid-cooled V24 engine, 2,126 kW (2,850 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 709.209 km/h (382.9 knots, 440.681 mph)

Tags for this video: 72 Agello Francesco M.C. Macchi Officer Warrant
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Also: "It was ... ( 9 months ago by Gruntol5)

Also: "It was powered by the Fiat AS.6 engine, which consisted of two coupled AS.5 V-12 engines, driving co-axial contra-rotating two-bladed propellers. The AS.6 delivered 2800hp, and for the record attempt the engine was boosted to 3100hp!."

Fantastic Video ... ( 9 months ago by Aviazione)

Fantastic Video Bomberguy!
Hi to hall as just write the As.6 was made by two Fiat AS.5 the 3100hp was made by a special fuel : 55% gasoline - 22% benzol - 23 % ethanol and special with 1,5/1000 Tetaetrile lead..copied from the british Supermarine

Hi, in fact this ... ( 9 months ago by Aviazione)

Hi, in fact this was an experimental plane , it can flying for a few minutes and only with good weather, his floating parts was very sensitive. When the funds for the Schneider Cup ended the plane has benn thrown in a warehouse.

Experimental be it ... ( 9 months ago by peepeevagi)

Experimental be it may, modified it could have very well ended the war.
It's a damn shame it was just left to sit, such a gold mine of performance.
Prototype or not, it still deserves to be war worthy. After all, they did the same with the Bearcat and Mustang fighters.

Thanks, that must ... ( 9 months ago by denberg2)

Thanks, that must be the answer. Every reference book always gives the impression that it's a single engine aircraft, but it's obviously a twin.

I don't get how ... ( 9 months ago by SmiertSpionem)

I don't get how these all metal aircraft could top 400mph in the early 30's, while the first generation fighters of WWII only hit about 350 (average)?!

Hi, I'm an Italian ... ( 9 months ago by FolgoreColMoschin)

Hi, I'm an Italian pilot and I live in Desesnzano, a city situated in the south of Garda's lake. The same city were there were the seaplane base of the RAV during 30's. We can say that the MC 72 (Macchi Castoldi 72 had reached more than 709 km\h. But this guinnes was not registered because the fly was not ufficial. That day Agello with his plane reached "only" 709 km\h (440 mph) because the weather was cloudy and was too dangerous fly at this velocity at few meters from the wather. Bye!

Thanks. The MC 72 ... ( 9 months ago by Bomberguy)

Thanks. The MC 72 was an amazing achievement. Too bad it was not ready for the 1931 Schneider Trophy!

Yes, you are in ... ( 9 months ago by FolgoreColMoschin)

Yes, you are in right. Few months before another pilot died on a MC 72. Italians wanted to send again the Schneider trophy but english worried form the powerful plane refused. Your video is particular interesting...bye!

The Macci had two ... ( 8 months ago by DartDakota)

The Macci had two engines!

What would they ... ( 8 months ago by DartDakota)

What would they have been capable of without the drag of those floats?

ahh ( 8 months ago by SmiertSpionem)

ahh

441 MPH and that ... ( 8 months ago by robvlob)

441 MPH and that wasn't max and with floats that cause severe drag. I'd guess it would of been capable of well over 500MPH in level flight had it been made as a conventional aircraft with retractable landing gear, but probably would of suffered from severe compressibility at over 500MPH

Obviously this a/c ... ( 7 months ago by fb2800)

Obviously this a/c has two independent V12 engines each driving there own propeller.
This is shown when one engine starts only one prop turns and like wise when the other starts the second prop turns. Also each engine turned in opposing directions to neutralise the torque. The engines are not mechanically linked in any way.

at the time of the ... ( 6 months ago by tinmansunbeam)

at the time of the record it was fastest on land and sea
now thats just cool

the ting was also a ... ( 6 months ago by tinmansunbeam)

the ting was also a flying radiator

Still holding an ... ( 5 months ago by lofi73)

Still holding an aviation record after nearly 75 years!!.Amazing machine

Great video of an ... ( 5 months ago by Rickusty)

Great video of an outstanding plane. I watched the real plane some days ago in the Italian Air Force museum in Bracciano, north of Rome. It's an amazing plane.

Because the ... ( 5 months ago by denberg2)

Because the fighters carried half a ton of steel armour plating and other military equipment

Got you there! ... ( 5 months ago by SmiertSpionem)

Got you there! Thanks, No-one ever mentions that, makes a lot of sense.

Are those ... ( 5 months ago by ThatMiserableCat)

Are those surface-evaporation radiators? Looks like quite a cooling system...on the floats, as well! Outstanding, sir! Thanks!

World is like ... ( 4 months ago by youdubt)

World is like Italians want.

The same problem ... ( 2 months ago by TheRealInvaderZim)

The same problem occurs with any high horsepower engine (cars included)the real problem is heat,the Veyron has 9 radiators(fastest real production car),Schneider Trophy planes have had my interest since I was a little kid and only read about them in books--we all have to love the internet and what it has done to our info-base :)

It's even more ... ( 1 month ago by mort1369)

It's even more amazing when you consider the drag those floats produce. . .

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