What's this effect?

[LittleBlueGaming]

Right around 700m/s near at 1km, the visuals and sound of the RAPIER change drastically. I'm wondering what causes this, if it's an aerodynamic effect or if it has to do with the thrust/air intake at those speeds, or something else entirely. It's still in air-breathing mode too.

Edited June 27, 2015 by LittleBlueGaming

[anarkhon]

here is my 2 cents:its a bug or design error,sprites moving towards -Z too fast/too big acceleration

[clivman]

Happens whenever you use physics warp too.

[koyoti]

I'm no expert, but my guess is it's probably running out of intake air and changing to a rocket engine?

I seem to remember you need the shock cone intakes to get max air breathing performance, but once the engine can't get enough air through the intakes it auto-switches and it's rocket engine all the way.

[LittleBlueGaming]

here is my 2 cents:its a bug or design error,sprites moving towards -Z too fast/too big acceleration

If it were just the smoke trail, that's what I would have thought, but a crisp change in the sound makes me think it's something physics-related.

I'm no expert, but my guess is it's probably running out of intake air and changing to a rocket engine?

I seem to remember you need the shock cone intakes to get max air breathing performance, but once the engine can't get enough air through the intakes it auto-switches and it's rocket engine all the way.

Still in air-breathing mode, plenty of intake air. I turn my RAPIERs onto manual mode anyway and use action groups.

[TheCanadianVendingMachine]

The Rapiers turn to rocket mode because there isn't enough air intakes to give it the air it needs for air-breathing mode

Edit - NVM.

[rdwulfe]

Is this the new mode where the engines become similar to the SR-71 engines IRL?

[NathanKell]

No, that's the turboramjet (aka "turbojet" in KSP .90). Though the RAPIER operates as a turboramjet in air-breathing mode too.

Probably the switch to krakensbane=on at 750m/s?

[mythbusters844]

Probably the switch to krakensbane=on at 750m/s?

Thought the same thing.

[Arsonik]

I imagine you are reaching a certain combination of air speed and atmospheric conditions that are ideal for the engine. When it reaches its optimal operating condition it sort of kicks into overdrive. I've noticed this sort of behavior with the Rapier and turbojet. I might be thinking of a different situation then what you are experiencing however. The pictures don't necessarily make it clear what you are describing.

[LittleBlueGaming]

No, that's the turboramjet (aka "turbojet" in KSP .90). Though the RAPIER operates as a turboramjet in air-breathing mode too.

Probably the switch to krakensbane=on at 750m/s?

That must be it... it definitely explains the change in distance between exhaust particles, just interesting that it effects the sound too.

[Dispatcher]

This is what the effect is. Watch about 9:30 in to see the effect. Watch all prior to see the navball and other instruments. Watch after the effect to see the ... real effects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZuEfnTKNKY

Too bad the one who "captured" the video and audio cut the bottom to achieve a widescreen format and muddled the audio.

Edited July 3, 2015 by Dispatcher