FIAT CR32 FRECCIA/CHIRRI

Description

The Italian Fiat CR.32 Freccia was the pinnacle of Italian biplane fighter plane design of the early 1930´s. Because of its flying qualities, it saw service with air forces on four continents. Despite being rather obsolete by the time the war broke out, the Freccia went on flying in the first line service well up to 1942. They also managed to make a name for themselves during the Spanish Civil War where they flew with Italian volunteer units as well as piloted by Spanish nationalists. In Spain, Fiat CR.32 fighter planes enjoyed their finest hour and they were even licence-built there and known as the Chirri. However, the Fiats saw their very first combat action in faraway China as this country had bought the first series of the fighter. Yet another countries bought this type as well, these were South-American countries of Paraguay or Venezuela, in Europa the aicraft was used by Austria (and following the Anschluss or Annexation by Nazi Germany they continued their service with the Luftwaffe) and also by Hungary. Italian Freccias saw service in their homeland as well as in the Balkans or in the hot skies of Africa, where, flown in an attack role, they were characterized by having an enlarged radiator and bomb racks fitted. (Scale : 1/48e)