This Living Collection brings together primary-source technical documentation for the Fiat CR.20 — the historic all-metal sesquiplane biplane fighter designed by Celestino Rosatelli in the 1920s. A landmark in Italian interwar aviation, the CR.20 introduced rigid all-metal construction and structural innovations that shaped the Regia Aeronautica's design philosophy for a generation. The collection spans the baseline CR.20 and the refined CR.20 bis variant, covering construction, assembly, powerplant, spare parts, and a rare NACA technical circular.
Collection Contents — 7 Manuals
CR.20 bis Construction Manuals (2 Manuals)
- C.R.20 Bis Aircraft — Assembly and Rigging Instructions — 1929, Istruzioni per il Montaggio e la Regolazione (Italian Language)
- C.R.20 Bis A.Q. Seaplane — Assembly and Rigging Instructions — 1931, Istruzioni per il Montaggio e la Regolazione (Italian Language)
CR.20 bis Spare Parts List (1 Manual)
- CR.20 Bis Aircraft — Illustrated Parts Catalogue Manual Additions and Variants — Volume 3 — 1932, Aggiunte e Varianti I.C.R. 20bis al Catalogo Nomenclatore (Italian Language)
CR.20 Construction Manuals (1 Manual)
- CR.20 Aircraft Construction Description, Istruzioni per il Montaggio e Regolazione (Italian Language)
CR.20 Engine (1 Manual)
- Fiat A-20 Series IV Engine — Operating Instructions Technical Publication — 1929, Istruzioni per l'Uso del Motore (Italian Language)
CR.20 Spare Parts List (1 Manual)
- CR.20 Aircraft, Illustrated Parts Catalog Manual Volume 3 — 1928, Catalogo Nomenclatore (Italian Language)
CR.20 Technical Publications (1 Manual)
- Fiat CR.20 Pursuit Airplane — NACA Technical Circular No. 43 — 1927 (English Language)
Aircraft & Technical Overview
Aerodynamic Configuration
The CR.20 employed a distinctive sesquiplane configuration — upper wing significantly larger in span and area than the lower wing — combining biplane structural rigidity with reduced interference drag:
- All-Metal Framing: Rigid all-metal fuselage and wing structure covered in fireproof fabric — a decisive departure from the wooden CR.1 predecessor.
- Duralumin Cowling: Rigid duralumin skin panels over the forward fuselage for thermal resilience and smooth nose airflow.
- CR.20 Asso Refinement: Highly streamlined tight-fitting engine cowling and expanded horizontal tail surfaces to minimise parasitic drag and improve control authority.
Powerplant — Fiat A.20
- Standard Engine: Fiat A.20 V-12 water-cooled inline — 410–420 hp. Main cooling radiator mounted directly above the engine block along the upper fuselage deck line.
- CR.20 Asso Variant: Isotta Fraschini Asso Caccia — 450 hp. Improved low-altitude performance; added powerplant weight reduced total flight range.
Handling & Stability by Variant
| Variant | Stability Profile | Handling Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Standard CR.20 | Highly Stable | Exceptional maneuverability, precise turn rates, tolerant of rough unpaved military airstrips |
| CR.20 bis | Enhanced Agility | Reduced-area wing, individual Oleo strut suspension — superior landing dampening and sharper roll rates |
| CR.20 Idro | Laterally Unstable | Twin-float seaplane variant — deemed aerodynamically "vicious", highly sensitive to uncommanded wing stalls at low speed |
Performance Data
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 280 km/h (174 mph) |
| Cruising Speed | 220 km/h (137 mph) |
| Service Ceiling | 7,500 m (24,600 ft) |
| Empty Weight | 980 kg (2,160 lb) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) |
| Fixed Armament | 2 × 7.7 mm machine guns, synchronized through propeller arc |
Engineering & Equipment Bulletins
- Automatic Oxygen System: Integrated fully automatic pilot oxygen delivery regulator self-activating above 3,000 m pressure altitude.
- Fire Suppression: Remote-pull carbon tetrachloride chemical fire extinguisher plumbed directly into the forward engine bay.
- Gun Camera: High-speed target verification camera capable of 1,000 frames per second, with cockpit buzzer indicating end of 30-metre film roll.
- Dual-Battery Electrical Architecture: Split electrical bus utilizing two independent storage batteries for redundancy.
⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.
This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
Living Collections with Free Lifetime Updates — Please review our Disclaimer and Export Notice before purchasing.