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Macchi M.67

From Alfawiki
Macchi
IndustryAerospace
FounderMario Castoldi
Headquarters
Italy
ProductsAircraft, including the Macchi M.67 racing seaplane

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Macchi M.67 was an Italian racing seaplane developed by Mario Castoldi and constructed by Macchi specifically for the 1929 Schneider Trophy competition.

Design and development

The M.67, a single-seat, low-wing monoplane equipped with twin floats, was derived from the earlier Macchi M.39, which had represented Italy in the 1926 and 1927 Schneider Trophy contests. While maintaining the fundamental layout of the M.39, Castoldi reinforced the airframe to support the installation of a substantially larger and more powerful powerplant: the 18-cylinder, 57.256 L (3,494.0 cu in), 1,341 kW (1,798 hp) Isotta-Fraschini Asso 1000 W-18 engine, known as the "Ace" 1000. This engine was significantly more potent than the Fiat AS.2 V12 unit used in the M.39. To optimize performance, fuel was stored within integral tanks located inside the floats, allowing for smaller float dimensions, reduced structural weight, and decreased aerodynamic drag. The propeller was a three-bladed design that generated considerable torque.

To mitigate the substantial torque effects during takeoff, an unequal distribution of fuel was maintained between the floats—one float carried more fuel than the other—thereby lessening asymmetric hydrodynamic drag and minimizing swing on takeoff. However, this arrangement induced pronounced roll imbalances once airborne due to out-of-trim forces.

Despite widespread public skepticism regarding the readiness of the Asso 1000 engine for competition—especially given that Isotta-Fraschini produced 27 of these engines for the 1929 Schneider Trophy race but experienced several failures during testing—the Italian Air Minister, Italo Balbo (1896–1940), was confident that the M.67 offered Italy its strongest chance to secure victory in the event. Consequently, Macchi proceeded with constructing three examples of the M.67.

Operational history

File:Macchi M.67 moving.jpg

The M.67 aircraft were tested on Lake Garda in northern Italy. In August 1929, Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) Captain Giuseppe Motta lost his life when his M.67 abruptly plunged into the lake during a trial flight where he reached speeds of 583 kilometers per hour (362 miles per hour). Italy requested the British Royal Aero Club, organizers of the 1929 race, to delay the event to allow time for addressing issues with the M.67 and its Asso 1000 engine; however, this request was denied. Despite the risks to their pilots, Italy chose to compete with the two remaining M.67s, with Balbo stating that "the Italian team is going to England merely to perform a gesture of chivalrous sportsmanship." Italy also entered a Macchi M.52R floatplane in the competition.

File:Macchi M.67 and Macchi M.52R racing floatplanes.jpg
Italy's three competitors in the 1929 Schneider Trophy race. The two M.67s are positioned left and center; the Macchi M.52R, which secured second place, is on the right.

The race was held at Calshot Spit in the United Kingdom, commencing on 7 September 1929. The two M.67s were piloted by Lieutenants Remo Cadringher and Giovanni Monti. Cadringher’s M.67 started strong with a remarkable speed burst but skidded during the initial turn as smoke and fumes filled his cockpit, causing him to enter a high-velocity spin. He recovered over land and completed one lap averaging 457 kilometers (284 mi) per hour before being forced to land due to impaired visibility from cockpit smoke. Monti managed to finish his first lap at an average speed of 485.5 kilometers (301.7 mi) per hour; however, his M.67’s radiator exploded at the beginning of the second lap, scalding him with steam and boiling water inside the cockpit. Monti executed an emergency landing and was hospitalized.

The Macchi M.52R completed the race, earning second place overall. At the post-race banquet, Balbo declared, "We have finished playing our part as sportsmen. Tomorrow our work as competitors will begin," indicating Italy’s resolve to enhance its competitiveness in the upcoming 1931 Schneider Trophy contest.

Preserved aircraft

One M.67 is maintained on display at Italy’s Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle.

Operators

Template:Country data Kingdom of Italy

Specifications

File:Macchi M.67 right 2009-06-06.jpg
A Macchi M.67 preserved in Italy at the Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle.

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|crew=1 |capacity= |length m=7.65 |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m=9.98 |span ft= |span in= |span note= |upper span m= |upper span ft= |upper span in= |upper span note= |mid span m= |mid span ft= |mid span in= |mid span note= |lower span m= |lower span ft= |lower span in= |lower span note= |swept m= |swept ft= |swept in= |swept note= |dia m= |dia ft= |dia in= |dia note= |width m= |width ft= |width in= |width note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm=13.3 |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |swept area sqm= |swept area sqft= |swept area note= |volume m3= |volume ft3= |volume note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=1765 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=2180 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |lift kg= |lift lb= |lift note= |more general= |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Isotta Fraschini Asso 1000 (formerly 750-M) |eng1 type=W-18 liquid-cooled piston engine |eng1 kw=1341 |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp= |eng1 kn= |eng1 lbf= |eng1 note= |power original= |thrust original= |eng1 kn-ab= |eng1 lbf-ab=

|}


See also

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References

Notes
  1. ↑ Vašiček 2002, pp. 34–36.
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Bibliography
  • Angelucci, Enzo. World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London: Willow Books, 1984. ISBN 0-00-218148-7.
  • Donald, David, editor. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
  • Eves, Edward. The Schneider Trophy Story. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2001. ISBN 1-84037-257-5.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN 0-517-69186-8.
  • Vašiček, Radko. "When Seaplanes Ruled the Sky." Aviation History, September 2002.

External links

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