CRN-05 Spirion II - Kerbin Circumnavigation Vehicle (Air, Land, and Sea)

[Starwhip]

The CRN-05 Spirion II was made for the Elcano Circumnavigation Challenge, and is one of the best craft I have ever built. Capable of 160 m/s on land (576 Kph), 90 m/s on water (324 Kph), and 100 m/s in the air (360 Kph), it is truly an all terrain vehicle.

When retracting its gear, the Spirion II has no problems, but careful when extending them! It does experience a bit of glitching, but modifications have been made to keep this effect to a minimum.

Instruction Manual:

1 - Toggle Extra Intakes. The Spirion II has a large number of intakes when it only requires one to operate. This feature seems to be buggy (Sometimes it doesn't work)

Have SAS on at all times. When in rover mode, the only keys you really need to use are Q and E to control its roll. You may want to keep it pitched down just a bit to stop it from flying into the air. Limit downwards velocity to under 10 m/s for safe impacts. Even on moderately hilly terrain, full throttle is possible. Your own judgement is the Spirion II's speed limit. 160 m/s is generally safe. Warranty void if craft is piloted parallel to a slope.

To take off, accelerate to top speed on water, and over 100 m/s on land. Gently and slowly pull up. It can take a few seconds to get airborne, but it will get there.

To land, keep the engine ON for now: high speed is the only way to keep it flying. When you are close to the ground, (100-200 meters) pitch up so that you have 0 vertical speed. Extend the gear if you haven't already, and then cut the engine with X and click the Brakes button on the HUD to engage the airbrakes. (Optionally, you can hold B, but the button is much easier.) Keep your nose up so that you hit the ground as level as possible, at around 30 m/s surface speed.

It is possible to land on water in the Spirion II. You do not need the gear out for this.

To go on water, enter the water at under 25 m/s, the slower, the better. Raise the gear and ladder if you need to. You can go to full throttle at first, but limit your speed to 90 m/s or so. Faster speeds are untested. SAS should be on.

To exit water, slow to under 25 meters per second. The Spirion II's airbrakes will help immensely (Activate with the B key or the Brakes button). Deploy gear and thrust to get back on dry land.

Download the CRN-05 Spirion II

[Starwhip]

Wow. I thought this thing had 9 hours of fuel, (according to KER) but it has a measly 20 minutes.

I'll make a better version with more fuel.

[Guest]

Pretty cool craft, I like the concept

The new landing gear are so stronk

Edited May 1, 2015 by RevanCorana

[Starwhip]

Pretty cool craft, I like the concept

The new landing gear are so stronk

They are stupidly stronk, in fact. I was surprised.