The Fiat CR 42 designed by Ing. Celestino Rosatelli has the undoubted characteristic of being the last single-seat fighter biplane to be manufactured during the Second World War. It represents the final evolution of the aircraft series since Fiat CR 30 - 32 - 33 - 40 - 41, made during the 1935-1938 years in Turin. The prototype flew the first time on 23 May 1938 and about 1800 Fiat CR 42 were produced, divided into 15 construction SERIE. There were no productive variants but only small changes along the SERIE due to various operational uses.

Despite that it was technically overtaken and outclassed by the opposing aircraft, it honored its duties thanks to the skill and sacrifices of the Regia Aeronautica pilots who used it in almost all fronts war. It was also successfully exported and used in Belgium (Aeronautique Militaire Belge), Hungary (Magyar Kiraly Hoved L gi ro), Germany (Luftwaffe) and Sweden (Flygvapnet). Surviving aircraft were deployed in the post-war era by the Scuola Caccia Aeronautica Militare Italiana Lecce-Galatina airfield and for secondary services in Milano-Linate airfield during the 1950s.