fire219

And so it ends... the story that went so far beyond the bounds that "KSP fan fiction" usually implies, and of course I don't mean that in even a remotely negative fashion. This isn't a story built from the Kerbal Space Program universe, this is the First Flight universe.... that happens to have names of a few celestial bodies, people, and businesses borrowed from KSP. Just like everyone else, I'm incredibly sad for it to be over, but gratified to have been on the journey along the way. But I have just one question: When can we expect the film adaptation and officially licensed Extended Universe novels? It's honestly an unexpected and undeserved honor to have my username put in the closing remarks of this, just for a few trite comments I made along the way. Thank you again for the thousandth time, KSK. and on the EU novels note: yes, I am aware of Jake's sequel on Spacebattles, I've only read it about a thousand times too. :)

It took nearly 7 human years and a story most likely exceeding the length of all but the longest tomes in existence, but the Kerbals are finally an interplanetary species. Thank you so much KSK. I have no idea how long I've been reading First Flight, but it's been since pretty close to the beginning. It's been pretty much the only reason I've ever come on the KSP Forum in the last few years. Can't wait to see this all wrapped up, one last time.

I picked one hell of a time to come back to reading this after a couple-month break...

I think at this point, it's not so much "mulch hitting the impeller" as much as "detonating C4 encased within an enclosure of fresh fecal matter and isocyanides." This chapter was especially good.

Rest in peace among the stars, Ornie. Also, I'm not 100% sure why this happened, but a song from one of my other favorite games came to mind here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_0Bxqpc9o

Hey, I was just making a silly joke! Don't try to make me feel guilty.

Come on KSK, I leave you to write unattended for almost 7 weeks, and two chapters is all you can pull together!?! How dare you! [/s] But seriously, first casualty of the story. I guess its a miracle that it took that long. NASA wasn't so lucky.

The words I just uttered would get the forum mods angry at me if I repeated them.

Oh lordy. This ain't good. Unlike the writing, as always.

And thus was born KSP. The last two chapters in particular gave me chills. What was already one of my favorite stories of all time is rapidly becoming a contender for the favorite.

I hadn't read any of First Flight since mid-April, so I just read through the whole thing again over the last week or so. Just keeps getting better. Can't wait until I can get it in hardback.

Nothing solid yet, but Computer Engineering is what has my interest at the moment.

I'm currently a high school junior (11th grade) and headed for college in a few years, though I haven't quite decided where. Top picks are Georgia Tech and University of Alabama.

The best I've been able to achieve is 1469.0 m/s (though I didn't get it screenshotted), despite several tries and drastic methods to reduce weight/drag. ~1500m/s seems to be the maximum that can be eked out of the stock Whiplash turbojet. At the needed altitude (~20k) and these speeds, it's thrust is negligible.

I will be shocked if anyone makes it to mach 28 on an atmospheric engine.

My fastest design has achieved 1376.8 m/s, after babying it faster and faster for a good 15 minutes until it finally gave in to the heat. Quite a bit short of the 0.24 records, but I guess it makes a good enough starting point here in 1.0.4.

I'm currently doing my own 1.0.2 testing, but using minimal mods (only IR, for its free-spinning bearing). No success with flight yet, but I am making non-insignificant amounts of thrust. (Maybe I can crack this, due to the fact that I never did this in 0.90 or prior, so i am not stuck in a previous way of turboprop thinking )

Presenting the new FFX-1 "Scythe": -Must be in 1.0.2 Yes -Stock aerodynamics Yes -All Mods allowed with the exception of tweakscale Only parts mod in use is BDArmory -Must be a completely custom aircraft(no stock planes, no downloaded from elsewhere planes, no copies of real life planes, etc... Build it yourself from the ground up) Brand new Fire Aerospace design -Only one entry per person I am indeed an individual, not a collective hivemind -Must use BD armory In use -under 15 tons 14.0t without weapons -under 45,000 dollars not including weapons 41,460 -must have 6+ mounting hard points 8 weapon mounts, 2 for droptanks -must have at least 1 countermeasure pod 2 -must have at least one main gun(any caliber) and at least 300 rounds of ammunition per gun(stored internally) 2 fixed Vulcans, with 1300 ammo total (650 per gun) -Must have at least 250 gallons of fuel per engine stored internally 1,160gal total (580 per engine) -Must have the ability to utilize detachable external fuel tanks that can be jettisoned while inflight without damaging the aircraft 2 mounts ready between fuselage and weapon mounts, but tanks sold separately -must be able to go 300m/s under 1,000 meters and 500m/s between 5,000 and 8,000 meters Can go 500m/s at 520m and still accelerating -Must be able to take off at speeds under 100 m/s and before passing the control tower on the KSC main runway Takeoff possible at 70-80m/s and long before control tower -Must be able to roll and climb vertically immediately after liftoff(so it can perform combat take offs) She'll do it easily -Must be able to perform short/unimproved runway takeoff and landing(island airstrip off the coast of main KSC) Capable -Must be able to perform agile high speed and high G maneuvers In testing, could pull 5G constant and 10G peak -Must be sturdy so it doesn't break apart during high G flight or from barely being hit Survives 30+ G tipstalls without any flex. If it can do that, it will survive a lot -must look cool(this is a fighter jet after all) I think it looks cool as <kerbin underworld> Download Here

Can't wait to hear the results! I do think my entry will do well, but I can't be sure it will behave the same for you as it did for me...

She flies "well" at low speed, but still needs serious babying to avoid flipping around. But as long you keep throttle below 20% or so, the flight is not too bad. The landing is comically difficult though, since the landing gear practically flap in the breeze.

In that case, it's time to introduce my entry: the Fat n' Fast! The Fat n' Fast is named quite appropriately. It is quite wide for it's comparative length, and is faster than even Jeb's wildest dreams. It also puts on quite a show, using the last of it's fuel to make some large and dramatic (yet harmless) fireworks. Powered by sixty-two Sepratrons, it just barely comes under the solid fuel limit, at 496. Instructions: 1. SAS on. Like probably every other entry, it is not too stable without it. 2. Ignite and enjoy the show. 3. Right after the "show" ended with a boom and a shimmy, the fuel should be exhausted. Stage to chute-brake at your soonest convenience. Download: here

You don't have to use wheels for bearings. My "Big Orange" a few posts up just trapped the ends of a Jumbo 64 tank with XL girders, precisely tuned to where its loose enough that the tank can spin freely, but tight enough that it can't bounce enough to break out (that's the idea anyway). Of course, you never gave me credit for it.....

Quick question: are parts allowed to overheat and explode? I have a design I'm happy with. However, some of the engines explode from heat near the end of their burn. Every single one of the 10+ runs I've put it through, the craft has survived and braked via chute safely. Even have gotten the same speed record each time.

I pretty much agree with OP on this. It works in some cases, not in others.

You false idol worshippers have not discovered the true lord and savior, Tweakscale. You shall learn to rue your ways. Entry coming today hopefully, with the challenge closing up shop tomorrow...