Despite the lessons of the Spanish Civil War, the Italian Air Force, like many others in Europe, started off with fleets of biplane fighters that were little more than modern versions of the Sopwith Camels and Fokker D. VIIs that had dueled over Flanders 20 years before. Italy, however, undid herself, by selling many of her newest monoplane fighters to clients across Europe, in an effort to improve her balance of trade.

Thus, Italian pilots began the war with two biplanes made by Fiat, the CR.32 and its later version, the CR42.

CR.32

The CR.32 first flew in 1933, a development of the earlier CR 30. It featured unequal wing spans, W-configuration wing bracing, and a spatted undercarriage. Engine power came from a 600 hp Fiat A 30 RA his 12-cylinder inline engine. Like most biplane fighters, the CR.32 was highly maneuverable, light, and strong.

The CR.32's armament initially consisted of two 12.7mm (.50 in.) Breda-SAFAT or Browning 7.7mm (.303 in.) machine guns.

A bomber configuration of the CR.32, the CR.32 bis, carried two additional lower-wing 7.7mm mounted machine guns, and could carry one 100-kg (220-lb.) or two 50-kg (110-lb.) bombs. More than 300 CR.32s bis versions rolled out until 1936, when the CR.32 ter with a modified undercarriage took over, followed by the CR.32 quater, which saw 460 production models.

The CR.32, in any incarnation, was made of steel, light alloy, and fabric. Its maneuverability made it popular with the Italian Air Force for aerobatic displays. During the Spanish Civil War, Italian pilots flew more than 350 CR.32s to support Francisco Franco, doing well against Russian-made I-15 biplanes and I-16 monoplanes.

It was soon rendered obsolete, but continued in ground attack and night fighter service, being Italy's most numerous fighter plane in 1939. More than 400 were operated in front-line service in Greece and North Africa. The aircraft was also exported to Hungary, Austria, China, and Venezuela, and Hispano of Spain built more than 100 under license as the HS 132L.

The CR.32 was replaced bv the CR.42 Falco (which means "Falcon"), a popular biplane, that was also exported to Belgium, Hungary, and Sweden. The Falco was Italy's last biplane.

CR.42

The CR.42's top speed was 429 kph (267 mph), not fast compared to other nations, but very bracing for its pilot, who endured an open cockpit. It came in many versions - escort fighter, night fighter, even as a fighter-bomber with two 100 kg bombs carried in special racks slung along the lower wings. There was even a floatplane version, the ICR.42, which first appeared in 1941 and was useful for coastal patrol duties in the Mediterranean.

The CR.42 was considered a delightful plane to fly and highly maneuverable. Unfortunately for its pilots, it was completely outclassed by monoplanes. When attacked it could only do flick rolls and tight turns to keep out of the way. Even when presented with a target, the two machine-guns in the engine- cowling, slowed by interrupter-gear, were insufficient to do much damage.

Benito Mussolini sent 50 CR.42 and 75 Br-20 bombers to form the 18th Gruppo, based in Belgium, to help Hitler win the Battle of Britain. They did little good. By the time 18 Gruppo turned up in Belgium in October 1940, the, Germans had lost the battle. The CR.42s were based at Moldegchen.

On 25 October, 1940, the Italian Air Force sent 16 BR 20 bombers to paste Harwich. One crashed on takeoff and two more ran out of fuel over the sea. The raid did little damage. Four days later, 10 CR.42s escorted 40 BR 20s in a strike on Ramsgate. As soon as the British AA guns opened up, the Italians fled. AA guns shot down three fighters and three bombers, while RAF fighters disposed of eight bombers and five fighters in a few minutes. British troops were amazed to find the captured bomber crews wearing tin helmets and armed with bayonets.

The Italians tried a second raid on 11 November to mark Armistice Day and lost five CR.42s and eight BR 20s to British Spitfires. The Italians continued to make odd raids over England, dropping 54 tons of bombs on British soil that winter, and fly defensive patrols over Belgium.

CR.42s worked harder in Greece and North Africa, initially tangling with British Gloster Gladiators, another biplane fighter, with little success.

By 1942, production finally ended for the CR.42. More than 1,780 had been built, and the aircraft had been sold to a variety of foreign air forces, including Belgium, Hungary, and Sweden. The two aircraft were a microcosm of Italy's war effort, outdated and inferior to their opponents.

Specifications
Spec	CR.32	CR.42
Span:	9.50 meters (31'2")	9.66 m (31'9")
Length	7.45 meters (24', 5")	8.27m (27', 2")
Max speed	370 kph (230 mph)	429 kph (267 mph)
Ceiling	9,000m (29,530')	10,200m (33,465')
Range	750km (466 miles)	775km (481 miles)
Guns	ter & quater: 2x 12.7mm mgs bis: 2x 12.7mm+2x 7.7mm mgs in wings	2x 12.7mm Breda MGs
Bombload	all versions: 12x 2 kg (4.4 lb) bis: 1x 100kg (220lb) 2x 50kg (110lb)	two 100-kg (220 lb) bombs optional