Cargo Bay madness

[AaronLS]

Anyone else make cargo bays like this that aren't really for cargo or anything specific, but just cram packed with random components?

Basically before the MK2 drone core was available, I wanted my SSTO to not have the weight of a cockpit. So I stuck a probodobodyne(make sure you pronounce every syllable) inside a cargo bay for a net weight of .29t. Gradually I've added more to it. Put my solar panels in it so they don't overheat on takeoff and a few other components. Then crammed it with fuel tanks. It actually holds more fuel than the short fuselage of the same size. Of course weight wise those tanks are same efficiency as a fuselage, but not having an extra fuselage saves on drag and keeps me from making the plane longer, which is a problem for this particular SSTO.

Usually there's also a few science instruments, an antenna, and more batteries where space allows, but overheating bug has caused me to get rid of a lot of physicsless parts.

Note I did not offset any tanks(just solar panels), and although they clip a little on the inside, they don't clip to the outside.

Now that I've unlocked the MK2 Drone Core that I looked forward to, I'm considering it will not be an improvement. Consider if I get rid of the cargo bay, and replace it with a drone core and a fuselage. I save .09t going from cargo bay+prodo core to drone core. Now I'm holding slightly less fuel, it's ever so slightly longer(the width of drone core), and I have no place for other random amenities shielded from heating.

Not complaining nor do I think it's anything especially clever, just thought it was kind of funny what ridiculous mess I ended up with.

[selfish_meme]

I put a command seat and a probe core inside, plus other stuff like you, save weight on a cockpit for micro ssto,"s.

[annallia]

I don't stuff em that full, but I do usually stuff em with science stuff, sometimes put mono tanks in there if I am too lazy to hide them on the outside, or RTGs and extra reaction wheels.

[Temeter]

I put a command seat and a probe core inside, plus other stuff like you, save weight on a cockpit for micro ssto,"s.

That's actually pretty clever. Have to try that at one point.

[quasarrgames]

I once fit a battlecruiser in a mk3 cargo bay. Good times

[AbacusWizard]

When cargo bays were first introduced I made the Voyager I to try them out. The forward bay houses the science lab and a compact but fully functional three-seat lander; the aft bay has a bunch of docking ports and on its first mission carried a rack of seven tiny drop-probes to Eve.

I was especially pleased at how the lighting turned out.

[selfish_meme]

That's actually pretty clever. Have to try that at one point.

Before I found out about the Take Command mod getting Kerbals in was challenging. Also note the chair is the wrong orientation in this picture forcing me to remember to switch to the probe core to fly.

[AaronLS]

I was especially pleased at how the lighting turned out.

Yes, that is very nice lightning.

[T-Bouw]

Your bay is packed!

Yes, I find the cargo bay especially handy for making VTOL's.

I use it mainly to balance the fuel load as well as the lifter-engine(s) and Monoprop.

Those bays make for cool custom modules.

Oh, and let's not forget that all that "junk" is neatly stowed behind doors.

[Tourist]

Wow! I bet you are good at tetris.

I don't pack mine quite that full, but I often have a small tank of monoprop, batteries, maybe a bit of extra fuel, if the fuel budget is tight. I do use it for the solar panels though.... I know it doesn't really matter, but I just don't think it looks aerodynamic to have the OX-Stats on the outside of a plane travelling faster than the speed of sound... they should be torn at some stage of leaving or re-entering the atmosphere. I put them on the fuel tank, open up the bay doors once in space.

Edited July 15, 2015 by Tourist

[ShadowZone]

I used Mk3 cargo bays as sort of hangar doors. I also seen somebody build an entire space station with interior out of the Mk2 cargo bays so the entire side opened up for hangar access.

[ygarl]

Honestly - I never thought to change the lighting colour on ship parts for purely aesthetic reasons. Bravo, sir!

[AbacusWizard]

I knew from the start that I'd be wanting lights in the compartment in case I needed to dock at night, and I figured if I'm going to put lights there anyway, why not adjust the color to make it look like a fancy Star Trek shuttle bay?

[keeper]

These are brilliant. I think this thread is sick. I was loving my little cargo bays untill now!

Heres mine, i thought that was cramped.

oh yea screenshot button is overlay button wooo

[ajburges]

If it does not contribute to air worthiness, it goes into a cargo bay/fairing. I have even stashed landing gear into cargo bays before!

[Goddess Bhavani]

Economy seating on a spaceplane to increase revenue and air fright.

They're going Mach 4 on an untested spaceplane with wierd flight characteristics with FAR and Deadly Re-entry. And the edges of the trailing control surfaces are on fire half the time.