Folding ornithopter (Infernal robotics/proc.wings/b9/misc) - VIDEO

[Parallax]

Check out this ornithopter that I built. Im using infernal robotics, procedural wings, some b9 parts, mechjeb. I had to write a macro to automate the wing-flapping motion for powered cruising.

video 1 - test flight

video 2 - landing on laythe

I'm quite surprised that despite all the mods out there, that nobody built a decent ornithopter (at least that I could find). Hopefully this might inspire some talented builders to build something truly impressive.

Edited February 22, 2014 by Parallax

[Voculus]

Holy crap! That is outstanding! I've played around a bit with the robotics parts, but never did come up with anything very functional. Very ingenious.

[Tex_NL]

Impressive.

But personally I would have gone to Duna and used

music for the vid.

[Parallax]

you're going to like my next video

Edited February 23, 2014 by Parallax

[RocketBlam]

It's interesting, but the lift and thrust aren't provided by the wing motions, as far as I can see, are they? the wings moving is just for show, basically.

[nhnifong]

No way! Does it use FAR?

I thought things like this were impossible because KSP calculates forces on the wings based on the craft speed and not the part speed, but maybe IR fixes it? I dunno, I have not used IR in about 8 versions. It used to be so buggy >_<

All I can say it wow! such flap! keep up the good work!

Edited February 23, 2014 by nhnifong

[astropapi1]

God dayum! It's flapping it's wings!

[Parallax]

It's interesting, but the lift and thrust aren't provided by the wing motions, as far as I can see, are they? the wings moving is just for show, basically.

I don't have any other engines, so somehow, some way, thrust is generated by the flapping motion of the wing

[barrenwaste]

I like this, great use of a mod pack in an unexpected way.

[Tex_NL]

It is most likely another case of infiniglide. Flapping the wings changes the CoG and attitude, ASAS (in this case MechJeb) will attempt to compensate by moving the control surfaces.

[Parallax]

its possible. however, I've experimented with this a decent amount, and I found that I can still fly and generate speed and altitude with asas/mj disabled, I just have to be very careful with how I adjust pitch. I've also managed to take off with no control surfaces on the wing, just the v-tail. One of my discarded early designs actually did suffer from infini-glide, it would take off slowly and just barely fly, then it would start spazzing out and violently accelerating, and it would only do this with asas on.

[hydran101]

My god. (as knights would say) DRAGONS!

[Pds314]

Hmm.. I feel like downloading IR, putting a Gatling gun on it, giving it legs, and making a mechanical dragon.

[RocketBlam]

I don't have any other engines, so somehow, some way, thrust is generated by the flapping motion of the wing

Oh, wow, well then that is very impressive. Freaking amazing actually.

This may be the coolest thing I've ever seen in Kerbal.