Chiang Kai-shek ordered 16 Fiat CR.32s in 1933. They were based near Shanghai. Some Chinese high command officers disliked the Fiat, but Chinese pilots appreciated that the Italian biplanes in comparative tests proved superior to the available American fighters. The Chinese Government did not order more CR.32s as it was difficult to import alcohol and benzole to mix with petrol for the engines. In May 1936, only six CR.32s were still operational. In August 1937, the remaining CR.32s were used with some initial success in Shanghai against the invading Japanese. By late 1937, when the Chinese capital at Nanjing fell, all CR.32s had been lost (Image uploaded by heinz Germany)