On 23 October 1934, at the Desenzano del Garda seaplane base, headquarters of the Italian Air Force's High-Speed Unit, Marshal Francesco Agello, flying a Macchi MC.72 equipped with a FIAT AS6 engine of almost 3000 hp, set the world speed record, reaching 709.202 km/h.
The record, still unbeaten today for seaplanes with traditional piston engines, is celebrated with a Notice of competition specially drafted with the collaboration of the Lazio Regional School Office, open to schools in the Lazio Region and also involving Aeronautical Institutes, belonging to the Transport and Logistics network (Aircraft Operation) of which the De Pinedo Institute in Rome is the network leader.
The cultural initiative aims to promote reflection among students on “The Myth of Speed,” exploring historical and/or technological aspects of an exploit made possible by the man-machine partnership and teamwork, which still represents an excellence of the country's aeronautical and automotive system today.
On this page you can find both the competition announcement and various historical documents relating to the event.

Download the “Myth of Speed” competition notice”