Macchi M72. Schneider Trophy contestant and outright speed record holder.
Below are two most beautiful examples of Art in Engineering. Although surrounded by stunningly spectacular competitors in the early 30s Schneider races, I think this is the most dramatic of all of the aircraft. Unsuccessful at competing in the '31 Schneider Trophy due to problems that include a strange backfire at very high speed (later identified as an intake issue and with the help of British chemist and engineer Rod Banks with fuel development, the problem was cured). The back fire eventually resulted in tragedy when it ignited the pressurised induction charge within the inlet and supercharger, causing one and possibly a second fatal accident). All was not lost however, as the aircraft continued development to capture the waterplane world speed record and, for a while, the outright world speed record. This waterplane record continued until 1961 when a Russian jet powered seaplane exceeded the nominal 442 mph figure.
