Fiat CR 32's to China

[Jerry Asher]

Can anyone elaborate on the Chinese contract for these planes? My citation only says they were the first international order for the plane in 1933, but only 16 of 24 were delivered. I assume they were sent as a single batch? I am interested in when they left Italy and arrived in China. Dates, shipping, what ship dates, etc. Another citation indicates that pilots went to Italy for training. Any data? Other citations are of the role in the air defense at Nanjing (Nanking) and Shanghai? Many thanks in advace.

[Dili]

There is blurb here but mostly about the period there and differences with Italian version, and how the lack special mixed fuel they needed grounded them. Translate with google if anything you can't understand just post here

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_C.R.32

[durb]

According to "Håkans Aviation Page" (very recommandable site if you don´t know it yet) the Rebublic of China ordered 24 Fiat CR 32, but only 9 were delivered. Of the operational use I know that at least one Chinese Fiat CR 32 participated in big air battle over Nanking on 12.10.1937.

Chinese-Italian contract on these planes was probably achieved due to lobbying efforts of Italian aviation advisors of China Air Force. They as well as other foreign (European and US) advisors lobbyed regularly and efficiently as "salesmen" of their aircraft industries - this was one of the causes why Chinese Air Force ended up to have big variety of different types of planes (with considerable problems of maintenance and lack of spare parts).

[Orwell1984]

Lennart Andersson also covers these aircraft in his book,
A History of Chinese Aviation Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China until 1949


http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/R ... ok/00.shtm
though not the specifics on shipping you are asking about. However contacting him through the email on the site linked above might get any further information he has/has access to.

[Jerry Asher]

Many thanks Dili, durb and orwell. Orwell I found the book in a library 1300 miles away--will try inter library loan before spending to own. It loks like a decent reference though. Many thanks to all.

[Dili]

I think you will have more luck from Chinese side than Italian side unless it is some very detailed article in a magazine.