Cupcake...

Performed a close inspection of Kerbin's comm network. Cupcake...

Enjoy! Cupcake...

I'm speechless! I think I need to sit down and think about what I've just seen. Cupcake...

680m/s why that's pretty much 700m/s, right? Cupcake...

That sounds exciting! Cupcake...

Heh all, I've been working on a new version of my little Squall jet trainer. Through a bit of KSP voodoo I've managed to drastically increase the performance of the design while still keeping the weight down to a hair over 2t. This new version can super-cruise at over 600m/s (Mach 2) and is capable of circumnavigating Kerbin with ease. Like the original it's powered by a pair of Juno engines nestled just aft of the cockpit. It goes without saying that the craft is extremely agile and will have you pulling Gs like a champ! Anyone that wants to take her for a spin can grab a pre-release version here: https://goo.gl/N7rpE6 Enjoy! Cupcake...

Thanks very much I'm glad you're enjoying them! Cupcake...

Ah yes, happier, simpler times. I'm afraid those designs just won't work with the aero model/engine changes. The MK2 parts for instance put out a huge amount of drag even when they're pointing directly into the air stream! If they're then mounted at 90* the drag will be too much to overcome! It may be possible to get a dropship SSTO design to orbit but it'll be extremely inefficient and most likely wouldn't have enough DV to actually get anywhere. Cupcake...

Well it's finally spring here (at least in NZ) which means it's time for a good clean out! I should have done this a while ago but a lot of the older/obsolete designs have now been put out to pasture. The Squall has been superseded in its training role by the Storm, the Cypher was getting very ancient indeed and the Indigo was well in need of retirement. The Harlequin is still a very capable long range system but it really needs a thorough update to keep it relevant. Despite not seeing active service any more these designs can still be accessed through the link at the bottom of the dealership page for anyone that still wants to check them out. Cupcake...

UPDATES: 21/10/17 - Newt Ion Dropship added. Control from here function added to action groups. Port staging disabled on all craft. CRAFT FILE: https://goo.gl/vS4uWo Heh all, in order to help clean up my repository and make it easier for me to keep the designs updated I've decided to unite all my mini drop-ship designs within a single craft file. Just use root select to pick out the model you're after, save it as a sub assembly or delete the other craft and build around it. MODELS (MIN CARGO BAY SIZE): Imp - Ion Probe (MK2) Newt - Ion Dropship (MK2) Mindy - Dropship/Lander (MK2) Siren - Atmospheric Dropship (MK2) Mork - Atmospheric Trainer Dropship (MK3) Samson - Compact Tug (MK3) CONTROLS: 1 - Toggle Primary Engine(s) 2 - Toggle Rocket Assist (Athmo Dropships Only) 3 - Deploy Solar Panels (ION Craft Only) 5 - Undock Top Port 7 - Set Horizontal Control 8 - Set Vertical Control 9 - Toggle Engine Gimbals (Samson Only) 0 - Toggle Dropship Doors/Air Brake/Landing Gear ABORT - Undock Cargo Port Enjoy! Cupcake...

Heh folks, I've just released an update for the Vortex Mk2 which fixes a few issues and offers up some improvements. The drop tank design has been re-worked to sit closer to the wings meaning it's possible to land (carefully) with the drop-tanks still attached. Setting the gear friction to 2.5 has resulted in the craft tracking much better along the runway and allowed me to do away with the cumbersome launch device that was used with the long range version. The two models have now been consolidated into a single craft file where the drop tanks can be deleted in the editor if they're not needed. In addition the landing gears been bought forward for better aesthetics and easier rotation on take-off. Enjoy! Cupcake...

Don't think I can do it, sorry. I suggest you try @Avera9eJoe or perhaps @Majorjim!? Cupcake...

Well I've had it about 6 years and last few months it just got steadily more and more unreliable. I reinstalled windows but it would hang/crash whenever I plugged a wireless usb card in or tried to install a graphics driver! I managed to nurse it through the last video but it's got to a point that I can't even boot into windows. In short I think the motherboards toast! Cupcake...

I'm afraid I don't have experience with bearings although I think I can design a small enough plane for you if that's what you're after? Just so you know my PC has died on me and it might take a week or so till I get a replacement. Cupcake...

While I'm not saying it can't be done it'll be very tricky to do in stock. If you design a small enough aircraft it can operate out of a MK3 bay and as long as it has reasonable wing loading I'm not sure if the VTOL aspect is really needed? Cupcake...

Well it's not a plane per-se but my athmo VTOL's will quite happily fit into Mk3 (or even Mk2) bays with room to spare. Is this the sort of thing you're after? Cupcake...

You're right, I'll hold off. Even if I do go with the aforementioned rig I should be able to squeeze a few hundred bucks off the price. Cupcake...

That's the problem with tech isn't it? There's always some shiny new thing on the horizon. I have given it some thought and I thinking maybe I'll pull the trigger anyway. The majority of my gaming is KSP which from what I gather isn't terribly well optimised for multi-core anyway. Saying that I do need to do some research on the upcoming chips, as you could well be right. Man, it's a tricky time to be buying hardware! Cupcake...

It does seem like a very good deal indeed. They build each one from scratch too so I might skip the hdd and get them to fit slightly faster ram instead. With a bit of luck I'll be back to KSP by Tue. Cupcake...

Cheers guys, I really appreciate your help on this! I've done a bit more digging and think I've found the perfect spec for my budget (I know the 1080 is overkill but hopefully it'll make it last a wee bit longer). http://www.2moroit.co.nz/product-hi_end_gamingi7_7700k_16gb_2400_2tb_240gb_gtx1080_8gb-15255 I'm too scared to build my own PC so I reckon a nice prepackaged one will be the way to go in my case. Cupcake...

Thanks for that. :) Cupcake...

...which means it's time to invest in a new one. I've got my eye on these systems here which I'm guessing will be more then adequate for KSP and various MOD garnishings: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSPB61303/PB-Gaming-61303-Kaby-Lake-Core-i7-7700-Quad-Core-3 https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSPB62002/PB-Gaming-Series-62002-Intel-Kaby-Lake-Core-i7-770 Seeing as a do some Youtubering on the side I was also wondering if anyone has any experience of Nvidea Shadowplay. Is it true you need an always on internet connection to use it? Does the footage import into Premier CC etc. Any advice/thoughts will be highly appreciated! Ta. Cupcake...

Thanks man, hope you enjoying it! I'll look forwards to hearing your feedback as always. Cupcake...

CRAFT FILES: https://goo.gl/ZzA96S Presenting the Mastodon, a brand new design combining two things one doesn't traditionally associate with cargo planes; namely high speed and very agile handling. Powered by duel whiplash engines the Mastodon can fly at over Mach 3 with a maximum cruise altitude of 20km. There are two models available, the standard one built around a MK3 LF tank and the (C) Model which sports a central cargo door in addition to the two ramps. Despite being many times the size the Mastodon is built around the same aerodynamic principles as the Vortex/Storm; with the rear wing/control surfaces providing lashing of torque right across the flight envelope. CONTROLS: 1 - Toggle Engines 8 - Toggle Central Cargo Door (C Model) 9 - Toggle Front Ramp 0 - Toggle Rear Ramp RECOMMENDED MODS: OWNERS MANUAL: As with all my crafts a Joystick is highly recommended and SAS should be left on at all times. The Mastodon is flown via a probe core which is mounted above the rear cargo ramp. Due to the highly agile nature of the design it's possible to rip off the wings engines while performing extreme G turns at high speeds (800m/s+) so some restraint is needed! Likewise it's also possible to melt off the wings and engines through excessive speeds, for this reason a cruise altitude of 18-20km is recommended. While the craft is generally very forgiving it's possible to enter a spin if pushed too hard at slow speeds. Using Editor Extensions it's easy to surface mount different (more sensible) engines to the craft and balance the weight using RCS Build Aid. SETUP GUIDE: With the standard model there's a non draining fuel tank at the front which is designed to counterbalance the weight of any cargo in the rear ramp. Once the cargo is loaded, fill the tank up until the craft is perfectly balanced using RCS Build Aid. Upon unloading the cargo the fuel from the balance tank can be pumped into the central tank to restore the balance of the craft and provide extra range. In order to leave the central cargo hold free the C model uses 4 Mk1 LF tanks mounted in the front and rear ramps. It doesn't have the same range as the standard model and the handling isn't a good, but it does have a larger payload area. Enjoy! Cupcake...