South African Air Force use of the Fiat CR.32 and CR.42 during the Second World War


Captured Fiat CR.42 and Fiat CR.32.
In May 1941 the two aircraft were flown to South Africa where they were put on public display.
Unfortunately both aircraft was scrapped after the war.

During the war South African troops captured at least one Fiat CR.32 and two CR.42s. One of the CR.42s and the single CR.32 was brought back to South Africa.

Fiat CR.32 SAAF No.21
Engine type Fiat A.30 RAbis s/n 10692
Date Notes
04/41 Captured at Addis Ababa. S/n quoted as MM1191 (but should perhaps be MM4191).
02/08/41 Left Addis Ababa for Nairobi. Piloted by Major E. Biden or Major Klotze, both from 41 SAAF Squadron.
09/08/41 Arrived at Zwartkop Air Station. SAAF Serial no. 21 allocated.
04/09/41 Alloted to 42 Squadron for use by the “Air Commando” display tour.
04/42 Alloted to 6 Squadron at Durban for Anti Aircraft Practise and communications.
18/07/42 Engine failure. Force landed on a beach near Durban with slight damage.
06/11/42 Given to Natal University Air Training Squadron for instruction use.
31/08/43 Board of survey.
12/44 Still at Natal University ATS.
44-45 Believed broken up. Tail unit possibly to South African National War Museum.

Fiat CR.42 SAAF No.22
Engine type Fiat A.74 RIC 38 s/n 14274
Date Notes
04/41 Captured at Addis Ababa.
02/08/41 Left Addis Ababa for Nairobi. Piloted by Major E. Biden or Major Klotze, both from 41 SAAF Squadron.
09/08/41 Arrived at Zwartkop Air Station. SAAF Serial no. 22 allocated.
04/09/41 Alloted to 42 Squadron for use by the “Air Commando” display tour.
04/42 Alloted to 6 Squadron at Durban for Anti Aircraft Practise and communications.
07/43 Upon disbandment of 6 Squadron transferred to 69AS as an instructional airframe.
?? Believed broken up.

Fiat CR.42
Date Notes
04/41 Captured at Addis Ababa.
04-05/41 Made airworthy by 3 Squadron.
12/05/41 Test flown by Major S. van Breda Theron. He misjudged the landing, overshot, hit a ditch and broke up.

Any additional information would be very appreciated.

Source:
Personal letter to author from N.G. Thomas, SAAF Museum.
Dust Clouds in the Middle East - Christopher Shores, 1996 Grub Street, London, ISBN 1-898697-37-X






Last modified 13 August 2002