A rare 'Macchi Castoldi 72 Schneider Trophy Seaplane' mascot, Italian, 1934,
chrome plated metal, depicting the 1934 version with the twin contra-rotating propellers and the large curved under-tail, 12cm wingspan, mounted on a wooden block display base.
Footnotes:
The Macchi Castoldi 72 'Schneider Trophy' seaplane was designed to take part in the 1931 Schneider Trophy races but had to pull-out because of engine design faults, however when the engine problems had been ironed out it did go on to set a speed record of 682.78 km/h in 1933 and a year later, flew to an absolute speed record (still unbeaten for this category) at 709.202 km/h.