Fiat CR.32

Fiat CR.32

The Fiat CR.32 was designed by Celestino Rosatelli as a refinement of the earlier CR.30.

It first flew on 28 April 1933 and entered service with the Regia Aeronautica later that year.

Compact, robust, and highly manoeuvrable, it was considered one of the finest biplane fighters of its era.

Production ran from 1933 to 1938, with 1,052 units built.

The CR.32 featured

A Fiat A.30 RA-bis V12 engine (600 hp)

Top speed

~225 mph

Armament

2 × 7.7 mm or 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns

Optional bomb load

up to 220 lb

Four main variants were produced

CR.32, CR.32bis

(with upgraded engine and armament),

CR.32ter and CR.32quater

(with improved instrumentation).

Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)

Italy deployed over 380 CR.32s to support Franco’s Nationalists.

Known as “Chirri” in Spanish service, they proved dominant against Soviet-supplied aircraft like the Polikarpov I-15 and I-16.

Their success cemented the CR.32’s reputation as one of the best biplane fighters of the 1930s.

Spain later produced 100 CR.32s under licence, which remained in service until 1953.

Global Operators

The CR.32 was exported to

China

Received 9 aircraft in 1935; used in early clashes with Japanese forces.

Austria

Operated pre-Anschluss; later absorbed into the Luftwaffe.

Hungary

Received aircraft from Germany; used for training and secondary roles.

Paraguay and Venezuela

Limited service in regional air forces.

World War II Service

Regia Aeronautica

At the outbreak of WWII, the CR.32 was largely obsolete but still in frontline service

North Africa

Engaged British aircraft in early desert campaigns.

CR.32s successfully intercepted Blenheim bombers and occasionally Hurricanes.

East Africa

Used for reconnaissance and defence, often outmatched by Allied aircraft.

Albania and Balkans

Participated in the invasion of Albania and later Balkan operations.

Home Defence and Training

Gradually relegated to second-line duties as newer fighters like the CR.42, G.50, and Macchi C.200 entered service.

Luftwaffe

Germany inherited Austrian CR.32s post-Anschluss but did not deploy them operationally.

Some were transferred to Hungary.

Legacy and Retirement

By 1943, the CR.32 had been fully retired from combat roles in Italy.

However, its legacy endured

It remained a symbol of interwar Italian aviation prowess.

Spanish CR.32s continued flying until 1953.

The aircraft influenced the design of the Fiat CR.42 Falco, the last biplane fighter produced by a major power.