Fiat CR-32

The Fiat CR-32 first flew in 1933 and was a strong, agile fighter, much liked by it's pilots. In August of 1936, CR-32 fighters were sent to Spain to form the Aviacion del Tercio, which came to be recognized as one of the leading fighter formation on the side of Franco's Nationalist forces.  Three hundred and eighty CR-32 fighters were used by Italian and Spanish formations during the Spanish Civil War.

 Although outclassed in performance and firepower at the outbreak of  World War II the Fiat CR-32 still constituted some two-thirds of the available fighter strength of the Regia Aeronautica and was still a highly versatile aircraft.   It continued to be used quite extensively during the early war years, chiefly in Greece and Africa for night fighting and close support.   Foreign purchasers of the CR-32 included Austria, Bolivia, China, Hungary, Paraguay and Venezuela.  

This Page © Reviresco 2006  Modified 05/10/06