Macchi M.C.72

Macchi Aeronautica

Industry	Aerospace manufacturing
Founded	1920s
Headquarters	Italy
Products	Aircraft, including the Macchi M.C. 72 floatplane

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Macchi M.C. 72 was an experimental floatplane developed and produced by the Italian manufacturer Macchi Aeronautica. It held the world speed record across all aircraft categories for a duration of five years. In the years 1933 and 1934, it established world speed benchmarks specifically for piston engine seaplanes, with the latter record remaining unbeaten to this day.

Design and development

File:Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72 2009-06-06.jpg

Preserved Macchi M.C.72 displayed at the Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle in Italy

The Macchi M.C. 72 was part of a sequence of seaplanes developed by Macchi Aeronautica, which during the 1920s concentrated on achieving high velocity and securing victories in the Schneider Trophy. In 1922, the firm employed aircraft designer Mario Castoldi to create fast aircraft.

After winning the trophy in 1926 with the M.39, reaching a maximum speed of 396 km/h (246 mph), Macchi continued developing subsequent models such as the M.52, M.52R, and M.67, though success in Schneider Trophy competitions remained elusive. Castoldi then designed the M.C. 72, a single-seat seaplane featuring twin floats and powered by a modified FIAT AS.6 supercharged V24 engine, delivering approximately 1,900 to 2,300 kW (2,500 to 3,100 hp), which drove contra-rotating propellers.

The front section of the M.C. 72's fuselage was constructed from metal; behind the cockpit, it transitioned to wood with a wooden skin stretched over a framework composed of bulkheads and longerons, connected to the forward metal portion via four bolts. The nose housed an oil tank whose external surface was exposed directly to airflow. The wings were entirely metal and incorporated flat tubular water radiators seamlessly integrated into their structure. The twin floats contained three radiators on their outer faces: one forward radiator for water cooling and two central and rear radiators dedicated to oil cooling. Additionally, water radiators were mounted on the float struts, and an extra radiator was installed under the fuselage—from cockpit to tail—to assist cooling during high-temperature conditions.

Constructed in 1931 with the intention of competing in what became the final Schneider Trophy race, the M.C. 72 was unable to participate due to persistent engine difficulties.

Rather than ceasing development, Macchi persisted with refining the M.C. 72. Benito Mussolini showed personal interest in advancing this project and allocated government funding to support its continuation.

Operational history

Throughout a span of two years, the M.C. 72 encountered numerous mechanical issues and tragically lost two test pilots—initially Monti, followed by Bellini—who both perished while attempting to extract exceptional speeds from the aircraft. After completing 35 flights, the engines underwent a comprehensive overhaul in preparation for a record-breaking endeavor. The aircraft ultimately fulfilled its promise on 10 April 1933 by establishing a new world speed record over water, reaching 682 km/h (424 mph). This feat was achieved under the control of Warrant Officer Francesco Agello, the final certified test pilot. Despite this accomplishment, development efforts persisted as the design team believed surpassing 700 km/h (430 mph) was attainable with the M.C. 72. Their ambition was realized on 23 October 1934 when Agello piloted the aircraft to an average speed of 709.207 km/h (440.681 mph) across three runs. As of 2019, this remains the fastest speed ever recorded by a piston-driven seaplane. Following this milestone, the M.C. 72 was retired from flight operations.

Speed record

The M.C. 72 held the title for the fastest aircraft globally for a duration of five years. In comparison, the landplane speed record during that period was held by the Hughes H-1 Racer, which managed a top velocity of only 566 km/h (352 mph). In 1939, two German racing aircraft surpassed the M.C. 72’s record: initially, a Heinkel prototype fighter reached 746 km/h (464 mph), followed by the Messerschmitt Me 209, specifically designed to break speed records, which attained 756 km/h (470 mph) on April 26—just under five months before World War II commenced. The current piston-engine aircraft speed record stands at 531.53 mph (855.41 km/h), set in 2017 by a modified P-51 Mustang named Voodoo over a three-kilometer course. Nonetheless, the M.C. 72’s record endures as the fastest ever achieved by a propeller-driven seaplane.

Surviving aircraft

Only one M.C. 72 remains today—the very plane that set the world speed record—and it is exhibited at the Italian Air Force Museum near Rome.

Specifications

File:Macchi MC.72.svg

Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72

References

Notes

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.
• 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

• Gregory Alegi on the MC 72
• The seaplane speed record of Francesco Agello
• Newsreel footage of the Macchi M.C.72