Macchi Castoldi MC.72 03
On 3/19/2013 5:02 PM, Dave Kearton wrote:
"ŽiŠardo" wrote in message
...
On 19/03/2013 19:26, Dave Kearton wrote:
Hi Dave,
Yes, as explained to Indrek:
"Macchi-Castoldi MC-72 Fiat AS6 engine; dual V-12, 3100 total HP,
each engine drives one very course, fixed-pitch prop 440.729 mph in
1934. Class record still stands. Why contra-prop? Supermarine S6B w/
2650 HP on single prop overloaded one float by 32% on takeoff due to
torque."
Regards,
RiŠardo
What fascinated me is the engineering work required to get the job done.
Not only are there two unique engines inline, but the crankshafts can't
be simply bolted together.
I've been thinking about it for a while now and I can't think of a
simple way to do it reliably.
All that effort and expense for a one-off design. Absolutely outstanding
that they got it to work at all, much less in the '30s.
It was the early 1930s? There weren't many engines on the shelf to
chose from, and NONE that size...
The seaplane races were intended to advance aviation technology.
AND national pride was at stake here.
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