The Ca.305 & 307 “AP.1s” equipped 8 RAI Squadriglie several taking part in the Spanish Civil War. Hopelessly outclassed by Republican Polikarpov I-153 & I-16 fighters all were quickly replaced by marginally more advanced Breda Ba.64/65 & Ba.88 ground attackers.
In 1938 five CA.307s were purchased by El Salvador in response to Honduras buying a North American Aviation NA-16 trainer capable of being converted to a ground attacker serving with their Escuadrilla de Caza. During an air display by an Italian test pilot to celebrate their delivery one was destroyed Caproni Bergamaschi replacing it by another at no cost. The Ca.307 proved popular in El Salvadorian air service carrying out anti-submarine patrols along El Salvador's coast during WWII, spare parts shortages & airframe damage from brutal tropical conditions limiting serviceability till all were withdrawn in December 1944.
Early in 1937 Paraguay ordered twenty-two Ca.308 variants; 18 land & 4 floatplanes, cutting the order to 7 land planes that August following a government coup the balance was picked up by the RAI. In 1939 Paraguay's Ca.308s entered service, three flying during the 1947 Paraguayan Civil War conducting ground attack & reconnaissance missions against rebel forces, all being withdrawn in 1949.
Photos Taken June 13, 2021:
