The main structure was of wood, with a glazed nose, low cockpit, twin tailfins, and a distinct 'banana' shape to the fuselage.

This meant a high wing loading, which required Handley-Page leading edge slats and double trailing-edge flaps to provide enough lift on takeoff and landing.

The advanced wing design meant that they could be flown only by specially trained crews, but the aircraft was found to be fatally underpowered, with a maximum speed of only 386 km/h (240 mph; 208 kn), and then only with no bombs or defensive weapons carried.

The P.32 II, fitted with more powerful 750 kW (1,006 hp) Piaggio P.XI R.C.40 radial engines was tested, and 12 were delivered in early 1938.

The more powerful engines gave a better rate of climb, but the increased weight meant there was no improvement in maximum speed, while the range dropped from 1,950 to 1,700 km (1,210 to 1,060 mi; 1,050 to 920 nmi) because of higher fuel consumption.