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Title: Castrol - La Plus Grande Vitesse du Monde |
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Description: After setting a world speed record of 682 kilometers per hour Francesco Agello appears aboard his Macchi Castoldi 72 hydroplane in this advertisement for Castrol. In 1933 at Denzano, the Italian dream took shape, when after four runs, Agello broke the 1931 speed record of 655 kilometers per hour set by the British pilot, Stainford. Jack Schneider, the son of a wealthy factory owner was inspired by Wilber Wright and the exciting possibilities of flying. Schneider became a member of L’Aero club De France at age 31 and concentrated on organizing flying meets and events. Schneider believed that since 70% of the world was covered by water, the hydroplane would become the most economical and universal transportation. To speed the development of the hydroplane, Schneider established a special contest for the design of hydroplanes. The trophy named, La Coupe d’Aviation Maritime Jaques Schneider, valued at $21,000 was awarded in annual contests between aero clubs rather than individuals. The Aero clubs of Britain, France, Italy and America competed against one another to produce a high speed and practical hydroplane to win the Schneider Cup Trophy and 50,000 dollars. The country that succeeded in winning the trophy three times in five years became the final winner and kept the trophy. Many designers, engineers and pilots set out to win the Schneider Trophy in the twelve contests that were held. After a victory in Venice(1927) and Calshot(1929) the English took permanent possession of the Schneider Cup in 1931. Still the race to break the speed record continued. The Italian team’s engineer, Mario Castoli, designed the MC 72 hydroplane but early on it was fraught with technical problems. On September 10, 1931, tragedy struck when Bellini’s MC 72 hydroplane exploded in mid-flight shortly after take-off. This left Italian teammate, Francesco Agello the dangerous pursuit of the world speed record. The hydroplane would never reach Schneider’s aims of design and reliable passenger transportation was never met. |
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