Republic XR-12 Rainbow

(Retail or Dealer Split Only)
Artist Proof from Limited Edition of 250
S/N by the Artist
Image Size: 17.5" x 10.5"
Paper Size: 22" x 17"

Plane Type: Republic XR-12

In the final years of World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces identified the need for a long-range photo reconnaissance aircraft to survey the Pacific Theater of Operations, but that mission became obsolete at War's end. Built to meet that requirement was the sleek and graceful Republic XR-12 which could reach speeds in excess of 450 mph in level flight. A commercial airliner version named the Rainbow offered near-jet-like performance for the world's airlines, but the XR-12 never entered production and airlines bought war-surplus transports instead. Still the world's fastest multi-engine piston-powered aircraft, the Republic XR-12 offered the world a tantalizing glimpse of the future in the heady years at the very beginning of the jet age.

REPUBLIC XR-12 RAINBOW by Mike Machat (XR-12 Rainbow)@ Dare to Move