Fiat C.R.32 Fighter

Fiat C.R.32

The Fiat C.R.32 was a refinement of the C.R.30, but smaller and faster. The C.R.32 was an excellent biplane fighter, being fast, robust and nimble. It was easily recognizable, with its closely cowled engine, annular radiator beneath the propellor, Warren wing bracing and cockpit well behind the wing. It performed very well in Spain, but this had the drawback that Italy negelected the development of modern fighters. It first flew in 1933, with some 1309 built, including licensed production in Spain. In 1940, some 294 were still in front line service primarily in North Africa, however, the British in their Gloster Gladiators easily defeated large numbers of the Fiat C.R. 32. It had been quickly ecilpsed.

Technical Details
The C.R.32 was a single seat biplane fighter. It used a 500 hp (440kW) Fiat A.30 RA engine. This gave it a speed of 233 mph (375 km/h), a ceiling of 28,800 ft (8800 m) and a range of 422 miles (680km). As was typical in Italian fighter aircraft of WWII the armament consisted of only two 7.7mm machine guns mounted on the side of the cowling.

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