Fiat CR.30

Fiat CR.30

Origins and Design

Designer

Celestino Rosatelli, a leading Italian aeronautical engineer.

Manufacturer

Fiat Aviazione.

First Flight

March 1932.

Configuration

Single-seat biplane fighter with W-form interplane struts and fixed tailwheel landing gear.

Engine

Fiat A.30 R.A. V-12 piston engine, producing 447 kW (600 hp).

Performance

Achieved speeds of 330–340 km/h (205–211 mph) in international competitions.

Development and Variants

Prototypes

Four were built; two entered the 1932 Zurich international meeting and won speed contests.

Production

176 units were built between 1932 and 1935.

Variants

CR.30

Standard single-seat fighter.

CR.30B

Two-seat trainer and liaison aircraft; many single-seaters were converted.

CR.30 Idro

Seaplane variant (two converted).

Operators

Italy

Regia Aeronautica ordered 121 units initially, later adding 20 CR.30Bs.

Hungary

Operated 2 CR.30s from 1936 and 11 CR.30Bs from 1938.

Austria

Received 3 CR.30s and 3 CR.30Bs.

Germany

The Luftwaffe used captured Austrian aircraft.

China

Chinese Nationalist Air Force.

Paraguay

Used 2 aircraft as advanced trainers from 1939.

Spain

The Spanish Nationalist Air Force operated 2 CR.30s from 1938.

Venezuela

The Venezuelan Air Force operated 1 CR.30 from 1938.

Legacy and Evaluation

The CR.30 was a transitional design between the CR.20 and the more advanced CR.32.

Though successful in early competitions, it was quickly outpaced by newer monoplane fighters.

Its continued production reflected Italy’s industrial and political priorities more than military necessity.