The Adventures of Milbald and Claucy E1: Kerbin Elcano Challenge

[ComradeWolfe]

Hi all,

I'm throwing my hat in to the Elcano challenge for Kerbin. With the exception of MechJeb and kOS, this will be done using stock parts only. Only mods are MJ, kOS, and various visual enhancement/eyecandy mods. I may add SCANsat later for vehicle tracking. F5/F9 will be used only in the event of major vehicle failure -- if random parts fall off, I'll try to get by without them as best I can.

The Explorers:

Milbald Kerman, pilot and navigator. He's more at home in the air than on the ground, but command feels he has the skill to get the job done with a minimum of damage or catastrophe.

Claucy Kerman, engineer and flag planter extraordinaire. If it can be fixed, she's the one to do it. Chosen by command for her hard to perturb demeanor, she can keep Milbald calm and focused when the driving gets tough.

The Vessel:

The SV-01 "Super Vomitron"! This light-weight vessel features powerful SAS stabilization and redundant sets of wheels. Typically driven with four wheels on the ground, it can pitch forward or back to operate on two wheels for improved ground clearance.

If stuck on terrain, it can engage all-wheel brakes and pitch-roll to climb over any obstacle. Floatation intakes mean it can also cross water at up to 5 meters per second (non-warp) by continuously rotating forward, inspiring even the most hardy Kerbal to agree with its nickname.

Numerous RNG/TEG units assure power to all systems without the need for sunlight and without any of the range anxiety of fuel cells.

Journey Progress:

[This space reserved for updates on the journey.]

[Mikki]

OMG! What the ...? I wish you good luck and success with the "SUPER VOMITRON"!!! Cool name and appearently adequat for this very kerbal ... rover ... barrel ... thingy...:confused::confused:... uhh my stomach starts turning...

A will take a look around here and follow your progress!

I am up to make a elcano on another body soon, which one do not know by now...

[ComradeWolfe]

Part 1: The Journey Begins

The journey began with the planting of a flag "01 Start" at the KSC, a short ways off the runway.

And then we're off to the North a bit, to follow the traditional / standard route for equitorial transit.

Mountains emerge in to view, familiar to pilot Milbald but new to Claucy who has never flown much.

A brief survey reveals some rough terrain ahead.

Disaster strikes as Milbald gets distracted (I went AFK). Almost any wreck in the SV-01 is survivable due to rugged design, but a revert is still needed.

Any break from the tedium of driving and flag planting is welcome... Any break except a fly buzzing about the cabin. Just look at the poor crew.

Milbald let it out the window, but Claucy can't help thinking he may have ate it.

After planting a number of flags, Claucy is tired of climbing the ladder. Milbald suggests using the SV-01's pitching ability. Much to her relief, it works.

Random progress update:

Claucy sees a nice bluff over the ocean and asks to go for a closer look.

The vehicle becomes stuck, but is easily freed by using brake-lock and pitch.

So scenic! Milbald names it "Claucy's Point". Claucy would prefer "Perch", and says maybe she will have a home here some day.

As they continue on, Milbald catches some air. Even if he can't have a plane, he'll still be a pilot!

Steep terrain ahead. This looks risky.

Once again, we highlight the SV-01's survivability as the crew remains unharmed.

Another 50km, another flag.

Despite a number of reverts, this is the first broken wheel. Claucy savors the break from flag-planting tedium.

After days of travel, they near the first water crossing.

A final flag for the mainland.

Coming soon... Part 2: Mysterious Orders

Full Album:

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Edited August 31, 2015 by ComradeWolfe

[smjjames]

That's an interesting vehicle design there.