Macchi M.C. 72
S.B.S Model 1/72 Macchi M.C. 72 ‘World Speed Record’
by Tim Upson-SmithSCALE: 1/72
KIT NO. SBS7015
DECAL OPTIONS: 2
KIT PARTS: 27 GREY RESIN, 1 CLEAR RESIN, 15
PHOTO-ETCH, 1 NEGATIVE FILMI
n my opinion, the aircraft
designed for the Schneider
trophy races were some of
the best-looking aircraft ever,
built for one thing and one thing
only – speed. The M.C. 72 was
unable to compete in the last race
in 1931, but it went on to break
the world speed record for piston
engine-powered seaplanes, a
record that still stands. Before
we look at the contents of this
latest kit from SBS, here is a little
background from Wikipedia:
“The M.C. 72 was built in 1931
with the idea of competing for
what turned out to be the final
Schneider Trophy race, but due
to engine problems, the M.C. 72
was unable to compete. Instead
of halting development, Macchi
continued work on the M.C. 72.
Benito Mussolini personally took
an interest as the development of
the M.C. 72 continued and directed
state funds to the company.
For two years, the M.C. 72
suffered from many mechanical
defects, as well as the loss of two
test pilots who died trying to coax
world-class speed out of the M.C. 72
(first Monti and then Bellini). The
final design of M.C. 72 used contra-
rotating propellers powered by a
modified FIAT AS.6 supercharged
V24 engine generating some2,500 to 3,100 horsepower.
After 35 flights, the engines
were overhauled in preparation
for a record attempt. The aircraft
finally lived up to expectations
when it set a new world speed
record (over water) on 10 April
1933, with a speed of 682kmh
(423.5mph). It was piloted by
Warrant Officer Francesco Agello
(the last qualified test pilot).
Not satisfied, development
continued as the aircraft’s
designers thought they could break
700kmh (434.7mph) with the M.C.- This feat was in fact achieved
on 23 October 1934, when Agello
piloted the M.C. 72 for an average
speed of 709.2kmh (440.7mph) over
three passes. This record remains
(as of 2017) the fastest speed
ever attained by a piston-engine
seaplane. After this success, the
M.C.72 was never flown again.”
THE KIT
Inside the small, top-opening box,
you will find instructions, colour
notes, decals, and some of thebest resin parts around, as well as
a small fret of photo-etch parts.
Every time I see a new SBS kit, I
am amazed at the quality of the
resin moulding, and this one is
no exception. After the minimal
casting blocks are removed, you
have what looks like an injection-
moulded kit. It even has locating
pins! The parts are all cleanly
moulded, with no air bubbles
visible at all on this review sample.
There are two marking options
included in the kit, for pre- and
post-record flight. The difference
is that after the record flight,text commemorating the flight
was added to the fin. The finish
will need care so as not to fill
the delicately moulded radiator
detail on the wings, fuselage,
floats, and float struts. The
radiators require a brass finish;
the rest of the aircraft is mostly
finished in a bright red, while the
undersides of the floats are white.
As an extra for this kit, SBS
has produced a set of photo-etch
steel bracing wires (72042). These
will certainly enhance the finished
model and I will be using a set on
my review build for a future issue.
My thanks to our friends at
SBS for supplying this review kit
at this year’s IPMS US Nationals.54 • NOVEMBER 2017 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
FIRST LOOK!
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