Thunderbird 2 ready on the catapult!

[Logan.Darklighter]

Thunderbirds are GO!!

Mods:

Adjustable Landing Gear

B9 Aerospace Pack

KW Rocketry

Lack Luster Labs

Magic Smoke Industries Infernal Robotics

Mark IV Spaceplane System

RasterPropMonitor

Squad (stock)

TweakScale - Rescale Everything!

This recreation of Thunderbird 2 is capable of Mach 4 speeds at an altitude of 20,000 meters. Top operational ceiling is about 26-28,000 meters. Cruise range depends on the cargo carried. Typical cruising speed and altitude would be around Mach 2.5-3 at between 15-17,000 meters.

I've TRIED to cause overheat. But TB2 just doesn't seem to care how fast she's going! Go ahead and push it to the limit!

This cargo hauler can carry extremely large payloads around Kerbin. And it even recreates the piston jack legs of the original for unloading cargo from its ventral bay (sorry - no interchangeable pod system - YET. But Nertea, the maker of the Mark IV Spaceplane system has hinted he might try it in the future! Woot!

Also - just to be clear - like the original, this is NOT a spaceplane. But I’m sure with some mod work it would be possible to make it into one.

I should also note that the Yellowjacket VTOL Jets do not have enough power for this version of TB2 to be a VTOL craft. But the jets really do help it lift heavy payloads off the ground, and make Thunderbird 2 into a fine STOL vehicle. Caution when spooling up the jets with an empty payload bay, it will make TB2 start to lift and flip backwards. As soon as you see the weight come off the front gears, hit the switch for the main engines and use the throttle and control judiciously. Personally - I’ve managed to get TB2 to almost stand on her tail before cutting the lifting jets and she just takes off near vertically! She'll never be as nimble as a fighter, but she has enough control authority between powerful reaction wheels and control surfaces that she may surprise you!

Yep - Jeb buzzed the control tower with the prototype.

I have my own set of gear for securing a cargo inside the hold. But I’ve left the download version clean of parts so you can set up your own system. But if you’re looking to fly this craft to a remote location to pick up something like a rover or some other equipment, I highly recommend the KAS/KIS set of mods that allow Kerbals to store equipment and use add-on struts and winches for securing payloads that weren’t originally loaded in the SPH. (I also recommend an internal set of lights inside the bay for good visibility.)

The pictures you see here of the rover being winched down from the cargo bay and rolling out? That’s exactly how the vehicle was loaded into the bay in the first place, so I know it can be done! Heh.

A note on the fuel tankage. The rear tank is typically left empty. But depending on the load you're carrying, you may want to fill it with enough fuel for balance purposes. I've also left the monoprop in the forward parts for ballast. If you're carrying a really heavy load, you may want to dump it. Just be aware that performance may get a bit squirrely with no ballast, no cargo, and a really light fuel load. YMMV.

Sadly, since most of the main structure is mods, I can’t use Kerb Paint to give it the proper Jolly Green hue. Sorry about that!

Download the craft at Kerbal X. Enjoy!

[Spacetraindriver]

Dang, Someone beat me to it. At least mines is stock.

[Logan.Darklighter]

I'd love to see how a stock version works!

[ozraven]

Nice! Which mod includes that rover body? I recognize the KF wheels...

TYIA

[Logan.Darklighter]

Nice! Which mod includes that rover body? I recognize the KF wheels...

TYIA

Thanks! The rover body is from the Lackluster Labs set of parts. I highly recommend them if you're making more "sci-fi" themed ships and such.