The PVT prototype probably first flew in 1934. An initial production batch of 20 aircraft was delivered to the YAF during 1936. Another 40 were delivered during 1938–1939, of which the last 10 had fixed 7.7 mm (0.303 in) forward-firing machine guns fitted and were powered by a licence-built version of the Gnôme-Rhône 7K engine, the IAM K7. More PVTs were under construction at the time of the Italo-German invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941. Fifteen PVTs captured by the Germans as a result were presented to the newly formed Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia. Later some of these were fitted with bomb racks and used as attack aircraft until 1945.