Macchi Castoldi MC.72 01

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
--
Moving Things in Still Pictures!