World's Fastest Four-Engine Piston-Powered Aircraft: Story of the Republic XR-12 Rainbow

The Republic XR-12 was developed in 1946 as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft with a top speed of 450 mph. The company also offered near jet-age performance for the world's airlines with a 40-passenger commercial version named the RC-2 Rainbow. Using rare original Republic photos and illustrations never published before, this book reveals details of the Republic XR-12 and its RC-2 airliner variant. While the emphasis of the book is on the Republic airplane, the twin-engine Hughes XF-11, created and test piloted by Howard Hughes, is also covered. The book is illustrated with mainly b&w photos on almost every page. Machat is an aviation artist and former staff illustrator for the Douglas Aircraft Company. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)