The handsomely styled Macchi M.39 was designed by Mario Castoldi to compete in the Schneider Trophy. The aircraft brought home the top prize in 1926 with World War One fighter pilot Major Mario de Bernardi at the controls. A thoroughbred competition aircraft, just five airworthy M.39s were built, two of those as trainers. Because the Schneider Trophy race course - held that year at Hampton Roads, Virginia, US - featured numerous sharp left turns, Castoldi paid particular attention to maximising speed within the turn. The resulting aircraft was the first low wing monoplane its designer had drawn up for Macchi, and featured floats which also served as fuel tanks.
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