Franco was more of a conservative-ractionary than a true fascist. His dictatorship killed a lot of commies.
The lefties had majorities throughout the prior republics and, as all lefties do, targeted the church with their red terror as the police stood by and did nothing.
So, yes, Franco was a fascist, but only in response to the fascism of the left. He didn’t want to argue with them so he killed them instead.
I am saddened by the fact that Franco didn’t have helicopters...