Macchi Castoldi MC.72 01

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Moving Things in Still Pictures!

Interesting; it looks like it has contra-rotating two bladed propellers. One
would have thought that a four bladed propeller would have been lighter and
less complex. Maybe the intention was to offset the torque from such a
relatively high powered engine.

Keep up the good work posting these pictures from places many of us are
unlikely to visit.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult W.S. Churchill

"®i©ardo" wrote in message
...

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Moving Things in Still Pictures!

On 19/03/2013 19:45, Indrek wrote:
Interesting; it looks like it has contra-rotating two bladed propellers.
One would have thought that a four bladed propeller would have been
lighter and less complex. Maybe the intention was to offset the torque
from such a relatively high powered engine.


Well, this was nearly 80 years ago and your assumption is spot on:

"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."

Keep up the good work posting these pictures from places many of us are
unlikely to visit.


I'm glad you like them. For me it's just two or three hours flying time
to so many European hot spots- or a couple of hours by Eurostar train
service from London - it seems silly not to do it.

I'll be looking at the Krakow Aviation Museum in May and may even fit
the Prague one in for June - the latter being dependent upon my wife's
plans, as someone has to stay at home and look after the dogs!

;-)

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto



Best wishes Indrek,

Ri©ardo
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Moving Things in Still Pictures!

On 19/03/2013 19:59, ®i©ardo wrote:
On 19/03/2013 19:45, Indrek wrote:
Interesting; it looks like it has contra-rotating two bladed propellers.
One would have thought that a four bladed propeller would have been
lighter and less complex. Maybe the intention was to offset the torque
from such a relatively high powered engine.


Well, this was nearly 80 years ago and your assumption is spot on:

"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."

The S.6b's takeoff run was started out of wind because the torque turned
the aircraft as it picked up enough speed for the rudder to become
effective. Once this happened it was facing into wind, i.e. in the right
direction.

Keep up the good work posting these pictures from places many of us are
unlikely to visit.


I'm glad you like them. For me it's just two or three hours flying time
to so many European hot spots- or a couple of hours by Eurostar train
service from London - it seems silly not to do it.

I'll be looking at the Krakow Aviation Museum in May and may even fit
the Prague one in for June - the latter being dependent upon my wife's
plans, as someone has to stay at home and look after the dogs!

;-)

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto



Best wishes Indrek,

Ri©ardo

Isn't that the engine below the port wing?


Great photos, by the way. Familiar aircraft in different colours and
some real rarities and unusual types.

--
Peter

On 19/03/2013 23:48, Ramsman wrote:
On 19/03/2013 19:59, ®i©ardo wrote:
On 19/03/2013 19:45, Indrek wrote:
Interesting; it looks like it has contra-rotating two bladed propellers.
One would have thought that a four bladed propeller would have been
lighter and less complex. Maybe the intention was to offset the torque
from such a relatively high powered engine.


Well, this was nearly 80 years ago and your assumption is spot on:

"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."

The S.6b's takeoff run was started out of wind because the torque turned
the aircraft as it picked up enough speed for the rudder to become
effective. Once this happened it was facing into wind, i.e. in the right
direction.

Keep up the good work posting these pictures from places many of us are
unlikely to visit.


I'm glad you like them. For me it's just two or three hours flying time
to so many European hot spots- or a couple of hours by Eurostar train
service from London - it seems silly not to do it.

I'll be looking at the Krakow Aviation Museum in May and may even fit
the Prague one in for June - the latter being dependent upon my wife's
plans, as someone has to stay at home and look after the dogs!

;-)

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto



Best wishes Indrek,

Ri©ardo

Isn't that the engine below the port wing?


Hi Ramsman, yes it is. I went to the museum by bus and because of the
limited bus schedule I missed out on my "second run" which would have
included engines and the like. Still, it's an excuse to go back!

;-)


Great photos, by the way. Familiar aircraft in different colours and
some real rarities and unusual types.


Thank you, I'm pleased that you like them My advantage is that they're
within relatively easy reach for me.

Regards,

Ri©ardo

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Moving Things in Still Pictures!