Macchi M.52

Macchi

Industry	Aviation
Founder	Mario Castoldi
Headquarters	Italy
Products	Racing seaplanes (Macchi M.52, M.52bis/M.52R)

The Macchi M.52 was an Italian racing seaplane developed and constructed by Macchi specifically for the 1927 Schneider Trophy competition. Both the original M.52 and its subsequent variant, the M.52bis (also referred to as the M.52R), achieved world speed records for seaplanes.

M.52

The M.52 was crafted by Mario Castoldi (1888–1968), who applied design principles similar to those used in the earlier Macchi M.39. The M.39 had been piloted by Mario de Bernardi (1893–1959) to victory in the 1926 Schneider Trophy race, setting a world seaplane speed record, which he then surpassed again four days later. Mirroring the M.39's configuration, the M.52 featured a low-wing, single-engine monoplane layout supported by twin floats. Although slightly more compact than its predecessor, it was equipped with a significantly more powerful 746 kW (1,000 hp) Fiat AS.3 engine. Despite this substantial boost in engine power, the maximum takeoff weight of the M.52 was actually 60 kg (130 lb) lighter than that of the M.39. Macchi produced three units of the M.52.

M.52bis or M.52R

An updated model known as the M.52bis or M.52R was also developed, featuring a reduced wingspan of 7.85 metres (25.8 ft) and a further decrease in maximum takeoff weight compared to the original M.52. This version incorporated aerodynamic enhancements, such as floats with a smaller frontal profile to improve streamlining. Only one example of the M.52bis was manufactured by Macchi.

M.52

File:Macchi M.52 right side.jpg

File:Macchi M.67 and Macchi M.52R racing floatplanes.jpg

Italy's trio of competitors in the 1929 Schneider Trophy contest. Positioned at the right is the M52R, which secured second place; the remaining two aircraft are Macchi M.67 floatplane models.

In the 1927 Schneider Trophy competition held on 26 September at Venice, Italy, all three Macchi M.52 aircraft represented Italy. Unfortunately, each encountered engine malfunctions, resulting in none completing the race. The 1926 champion, de Bernardi, officially ranked 10th despite withdrawing, while the best performance among the M.52s was by Captain Federico Guazetti, who remained in the race until its final lap. Nevertheless, Major de Bernardi utilized one M.52 to set a new world speed record of 479.3 kilometres per hour (297.8 mph) over a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) course in Venice on 4 November 1927.

M.52bis or M.52R

On 30 March 1928 at Venice, de Bernardi piloted the sole M.52bis (also known as M.52R) to establish a fresh world speed record of 512.776 kilometres per hour (318.624 mph). This achievement made him the first individual to surpass both 300 miles per hour (483 km/h) and 500 kilometres per hour (310 mph).

For the 1929 Schneider Trophy race, Italy intended to enter all three Macchi M.67 racing seaplanes; however, one crashed during practice sessions. Consequently, the M.52R was substituted alongside the two remaining M.67s to compete for Italy in the event hosted by the United Kingdom on 7 September 1929 at Calshot, near the Isle of Wight. Piloted by Pilot Marshal (Warrant Officer) Tommaso Dal Molin, it was the only Italian aircraft to complete the race, finishing second with a velocity of 457.380 km/h (284.20 mph). Although this lagged behind the winner—a British Supermarine S.6 flown by Richard Waghorn, who set a world speed record of 331.17 miles per hour (532.97 km/h) during a single lap and averaged 329 miles per hour (529 km/h) across seven laps—the M.52bis nonetheless recorded an average speed 2.71 miles per hour (4.36 km/h) faster than that of the previous Schneider Cup champion in 1927.

Operators

Template:Country data Kingdom of Italy

• Regia Marina

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Archival news footage featuring the 1929 Schneider Trophy competitors, including British Supermarine S.6A planes (#2 and #8) alongside Italian Macchi M.67 (#10) and Macchi M.52R (#4) models during the 1929 race Archived 2011-06-11 at the Wayback Machine