Fiat CR.32

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Fiat CR.32

The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and WW2. 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 was used in WW2, though by 1942 it was relegated to night missions as newer fighters were put into service.

1 Specifications (CR.32)
2 Variants
3 Operators
4 Related content

[edit] Specifications (CR.32)

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
Wingspan: 31 ft 2.25 in (9.5 m)
Height: 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
Wing area: 237.88 sq ft (22.1 m²)
Empty weight: 3,210 lb (1,455 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,350 lb (1,975 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Fiat A30 RA-bis V12 , 600 hp (445 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 224 mph (360 km/h)
Range: 485 mi (781 km)
Service ceiling: 28,870 ft (8,800 m)
Rate of climb: 1,822 ft/min (9 m/s)

Armament

Guns: 2 Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm machine guns
Bombs: Up to 220 lb (100 kg)

[edit] 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 (220 lb) 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: 221 mph (356 km/h) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
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.