Viking1066
Brigadier General
Kos of the 47th Independent Chutai at Chofu AB photo 2 the net
Picture of the Day - Miscellaneous (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter Shinpachi
- Start date
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Nakajima B5N2 1943 the net
The Republic XF-12 Rainbow was a high-altitude, long-range strategic reconnaissance aircraft designed by Republic Aviation in the late 1940s. Developed to meet a 1943 U.S. Army Air Corps requirement for a plane that could cruise at 400 mph, operate at 40,000 feet, and cover 4,000 miles (a specification nicknamed "flying on all fours"), the aircraft was intended to photograph enemy targets from beyond the reach of interceptors.
Only two prototypes were built, with the first flight occurring on February 4, 1946. The XF-12 became the fastest four-engine piston aircraft ever built, reaching speeds of 470 mph at altitudes of 45,000 feet with a range of 4,500 miles. Its innovative design included an onboard darkroom for developing film in flight, allowing for immediate intelligence analysis upon landing.
Despite its superior performance, the program was canceled shortly after World War II ended. The advent of jet engine technology and the availability of cheaper converted bombers (like the RB-50) made the complex, piston-powered Rainbow obsolete before it could enter production. The aircraft was officially retired in June 1952.
Only two prototypes were built, with the first flight occurring on February 4, 1946. The XF-12 became the fastest four-engine piston aircraft ever built, reaching speeds of 470 mph at altitudes of 45,000 feet with a range of 4,500 miles. Its innovative design included an onboard darkroom for developing film in flight, allowing for immediate intelligence analysis upon landing.
Despite its superior performance, the program was canceled shortly after World War II ended. The advent of jet engine technology and the availability of cheaper converted bombers (like the RB-50) made the complex, piston-powered Rainbow obsolete before it could enter production. The aircraft was officially retired in June 1952.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
A really beautiful airplane.
756 km/h top speed..plane was designed during the war.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Nakajima Ki-27 at Kwangtung Airfield the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Nakajima Ki-34 1937 photo 2 the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
G3M2 J-BACI "Nippon" 1939 the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Kawanishi N1K1-J Model 11 "Shiden" belonging to the Tsukuba Kokutai, with tail code "ツ-7"/ "Tsu-7" in yellow, stationed at Tsukuba Air Base 1944 the net
Was this better than the Raiden ?
Viking1066
Brigadier General
The Shiden-Kai's Edge: The "George" could successfully dogfight on equal terms with frontline Allied fighters like the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair. Its innovative mercury-switch automatic flaps allowed it to out-turn opponents without manual pilot intervention, making it arguably the finest land-based naval fighter Japan produced during WWII.
The Raiden's Niche: The "Jack" was a highly specialized tool. If the objective was strictly to climb fast, intercept B-29 Superfortress bomber formations, and dive away, the Raiden was excellent. However, in a standard dogfight against nimble escort fighters, its lack of maneuverability made it incredibly vulnerable
From a thread here-The N1K2-J Shiden Kai vs Its US Counterpart
The Raiden's Niche: The "Jack" was a highly specialized tool. If the objective was strictly to climb fast, intercept B-29 Superfortress bomber formations, and dive away, the Raiden was excellent. However, in a standard dogfight against nimble escort fighters, its lack of maneuverability made it incredibly vulnerable
From a thread here-The N1K2-J Shiden Kai vs Its US Counterpart
Greg Boeser
1st Lieutenant
Oh, here we go...
Viking1066
Brigadier General
You will notice I tend to stay out of those. Some get quite "spirited".
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 7,123
- May 13, 2018
They both go "Thunk", don't they?
