Republic Aviation Corporation
Republic XF-12 Rainbow
The Republic XF‑12 Rainbow was a high‑performance, all‑metal reconnaissance and transport prototype built by the Republic Aviation Corporation in the mid‑1940s. Conceived in 1939 as a long‑range photographic aircraft for the U.S. Army Air Forces, it first flew on 27 February 1945 and was powered by two 2,400‑horsepower Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑C4 radials driving four‑bladed propellers. The airframe featured a low‑wing design with a 71‑foot wingspan, fully retractable landing gear, and a pressurised cabin that accommodated a crew of four plus extensive camera equipment. With a top speed of roughly 460 mph, a service ceiling above 30,000 ft and a range exceeding 4,000 mi, the XF‑12 could conduct high‑altitude, high‑speed photo‑reconnaissance missions far beyond the reach of contemporary bombers. Advanced features included electrically‑controlled flaps, a sophisticated navigation suite, and interchangeable payload bays for cargo or passenger transport. Although only two prototypes were completed and the program was cancelled in 1946 in favour of the B‑29 Superfortress and emerging jet platforms, the XF‑12 demonstrated innovative aerodynamic and systems concepts that informed later Republic designs such as the F‑84 Thunderjet and the F‑105 Thunderchief. Its brief existence highlighted a transitional period in aviation, bridging piston‑engine efficiency and the dawning jet age.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1946
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Republic Aviation Corporation
- Wikidata ID
- Q2145321