Model Kit Contents (click the image for larger photo)

Unit price: US$118

Shipping charge: US$28.00

In 1943, the USAAF had an urgent need to fly photo-reconnaissance missions over the Pacific Theater to identify Japanese positions and movements. But its airfields were far too distant for the medium-range planes to make the round trip. Its only recourse was to issue a request for a new long-range, high altitude reconnaissance plane capable of the long-endurance missions the Pacific War required. In March 1944, Republic Aircraft responded to the USAAF by proposing to modify its experimental civilian RC-2 transport to the specifications. The proposal was accepted and Republic received an order for two prototypes which designated XF-12. Its competitor was the Hughes XF-11. While the Rainbow was under development, the USAAF converted several B-29 bombers into recon aircraft, reclassifying them as F-13s. Even after the war, Republic continued to develop the Rainbow, changing its designation from the XF-12 ("F" stood for "Foto") to the XR-12 ("R" for "Reconnaissance").  The first XR-12 made its maiden flight in February 1947.  Its performance was up to expectations, making it the fastest four piston-engine aircraft flying at the time.  Development of the two prototypes continued until 1948 when the USAF canceled the program, choosing the newer RB-29 and RB-50 instead.

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long-range photo-reconnaissance aircraft

Originally to envision as a civilian airliner, and modified to meet military's photo-reconnaissance airplane requirement

129ft.2in.

93ft.10in.

28ft.9in.

4x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-31 radials

460 mph

7

None

The Republic XF-12 Rainbow is suitable to group with the following collection series.

U.S.A.A.F. Reconnaissance airplane in WWII 1939~1945

Beech F-2 (modified C-45) Expeditor

Douglas XF-3 (modified A-20) Havoc

Lockheed F-4 (modified P-38) Lightning

Lockheed F-5 (modified P-38) Lightning

North American F-6 (modified P-51) Mustang

Consolidated XF-7 (modified B-24D) Liberator

DeHavilland F-8 Mosquito

Boeing F-9 (modified B-17) Flying Fortress

North American F-10 (modified B-25) Mitchell

Hughes XF-11 (XF-73/XA-37)

Republic XF-12 Rainbow

Boeing F-13A (modified B-29) Super Fortress

Lockheed XF-14 (modified P-80) Shooting Star

Northrop XF-15 Reporter

U.S.A.A.F. long-range Foto-reconn. airplane competition in 1943

Hughes XF-11 (XF-73/XA-37)

Republic XF-12 Rainbow

Boeing F-13A (B-29) Super Fortress

War -time U.S. experimental aircraft

Post-war U.S. experimental aircraft