XF-12 Rainbow
plus three bonus kits

Anigrand, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by John Doerr

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Anigrand has made a name for itself releasing a plethora of 1/72 and 1/144 resin experimental, prototype and conceptual aircraft that never made it beyond the mock up stage.  Fitting their pattern is the XF-12 available in both 1/72 and 1/144 scales.  The 1/144 scale kit XF-12 comes with three other experimental reconnaissance aircraft.  It includes the Hughes XF-11 designed to meet the same design specification, the Northrup XF-15 Reporter and the Beechcraft XF-2A designed around their very successful C-45 platform.

The kits come in a sturdy box that even the US Postal Service could not damage.  Each kit is in it’s own bag while the clear parts are in a separate bag containing the canopies for all four kits.  The three smaller kits are each in a small zip lock bag while the larger XF-12 kit is in a sealed plastic bag.  The bag for the Rainbow is segmented, with all of the smaller pieces securely stowed in one part, the other two parts contain the fuselage halves, the fin, stabilizers and wings, respectively.  All the kits are done in buff colored resin.  The parts appear to be well molded with a minimum of stubs and flash.   There are very few pinholes or scaling on the kits I received, but many of the small parts did come off the trees during shipping.  With a kit this small it can be difficult to tell the difference between some of the minute pour

stubs and the loose parts.

XF-12

The kit consists of 45 pieces, 22 of which are the engines and propellers, another 12 to the landing gear assemblies and 11 comprising the bulk of the frame including the cockpit and canopy.  The canopy is resin and looks quite clear.  I am sure it will look perfect once a coat of future is applied.  Each of the propeller blades is molded separately and a peg on the base mounts into a hole on the propeller hub.  The fuselage is molded in standard left and right halves, with the fin butt joining on the aft end of the fuselage.  The wings and stabilizers have two pegs that mate to holes in the fuselage and fin assembly. 

I don’t know how well they will fit but on other Anigrand models the fit was very good.  Most of the landing gear doors are molded as a single piece and will require cutting into the individual pieces.  Many of the doors have hinge type mounts and quite a few of them were either broken or a short shot.

XF-2A

The XF-2A is composed of 17 pieces.  The kit includes a one-piece interior consisting of the floor, cockpit seats, and three rows of two seats each.  The cabin roof, windshield and windows are molded in one single clear piece.  It should make construction much easier than trying to add numerous little windows and the windshield.

XF-11

The XF-11 contains 47 pieces, including the clear canopy and nose cone.  The central fuselage pod is a single solid piece, as are each of the booms.  The wing center section is a single piece with a cut out to mount the fuselage pod.  The fins and stabilizer are each a single piece as well.  The fins mount to the top of the booms.  The two sets of counter rotating propellers have separate blades, as well as hubs and add up to 20 of the 47 pieces.

XF-15

Lastly the XF-15 is composed of 29 pieces.  The breakdown of parts is the same as the XF-11, with the fins being butt joined to the end of the booms as opposed to mounting on the top. 

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Thumbnail panels:

Decals

Two identical sets of generic marking decals are provided, the set for the earlier XF-2A being repeated on the second sheet.  Only a single set of rudder stripes is included in each of the F2-A sets, so two sets are necessary. 

A look at photos of the prototypes show they were devoid of most markings except for the national insignia, so the sheets are acceptable

Instructions

The instructions are on a double-sided single sheet of paper.  Side one shows profiles sufficient for applying the decals.  Side two has photos of the completed models, top and bottom views with call outs for the parts location.  They also include a blow up of the nose of the XF-12 with call outs for the seats and nose gear doors.  While not the best I believe they are sufficient for a modeler who has the experience to tackle these kits.

These appear to be well-molded, delightful little models.  While definitely not for the beginner, the kits would not seem to present much of a problem for an experienced modeler, with the money and interest to desire to build these kits.

Recommended.

Sample purchased by reviewer
Parts layout photo from Anigrand Craftswork; www.anigrand.com

Review Text Copyright © 2008 by John Doerr
Page Created 29 May, 2008
Last updated 29 May, 2008

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