Fiat CR.32
The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and WW2. Like for the CR.30, design was done by Celestino Rosatelli. The first prototype flew on April 28, 1933 and production started one year later.
A notable feature was that the lower wing was shorter than the upper wing. It was well liked by its crews, being very manuverable and having a strong fuselage structure. It was used extensively in the Spanish Civil War and in World War II, although by 1942 it was relegated to night missions as newer fighters were put into service. Sixteen of the type were ordered by China in 1933 and used with some initial success against the invading Japanese, but all were lost by 1937 when the Chinese capital fell.
It's on board this type that Spanish aces like Joaquin Garcia Morato and Angel Salas Larrazabal got most of their victories.
Variants
- CR.30 : Twin Breda-SAFAT 12.7 mm or 7.7 mm caliber machine guns. Single 600 hp (447 kW) Fiat A.30 V-12 water-cooled engine.
- CR.32 : Twin 12.7 mm or 7.7 mm caliber machine guns. Delivered to Italian air force between March 1934 and February 1936. Changed to 600 hp (447 kW) Fiat A.30 RAbis engine.
- CR.32bis : Close-support fighter version. Twin 7.7 mm caliber and twin 12.7 mm caliber machine guns. 100 kg bombload possible: 1 x 100 kg or 2 x 50 kg
- CR.32ter : Revised CR.32bis with many improved features.
- CR.32quater : Revised CR.32ter (reduced weight, radio added). 337 produced for the Italian air force. Maximum speed: 356 km/h at 3,000 m.
- HA-132L : Spanish version that was in service as an aerobatic trainer till 1953.
- CR.33 : Only three Prototypes were built.
- CR.40 : One prototype powered by a Bristol Mercury IV radial piston engine.
- CR.40bis : One prototype only.
- CR.41 : One prototype only.
— — — = = — — —