'Horseguard' Old-fashioned Monoplane [PICTURE HEAVY]

[Guest]

The last update of my favourite mod, BD Armory, introduced Browning machine guns. Fitting the theme, I wanted to build an old-fashioned monoplane: Here is the stock version of my result:

The Horseguard

This cute little plane does not only look good, it is also fun to fly! Propelled by a jet engine clipped in the tail a magical non-moving propellor it reaches speeds of up to 110 m/s is also surprisingly maneuverable. It is not meant to be a replica of any specific plane, but to reassemble the piston monoplanes built between WWI and WWII. The name is also purely fictional and (hopefully) sounds good.

The Horseguard also features several equipment, such as a ladder to get in and out, a rain hatch (so the open cockpit won´t get wet on the airport) and drogue chutes for landing.

Takeoff is fairly easy, simply activate the engines (AG1), throttle up and activate SAS. At ~60m/s the plane will slowly take-off, now you can pitch up and start dogfighting.

Na, being a bit scared? Also included in the price is a 720 kg LFO bomb, to drop with AG4. Not accurate, but big for such a small plane (it makes out nearly 10% of the total weight).

The part that needed the most work was the custom open cockpit. It features not only a (fairly) detailed interior....

...but also the already announced rain hatch and - tadaaa - a working ejection seat!

Landing is soft, but painfully slow. Try to jump out just before the ground to avoid falling asleep during descend.

The plane is also able fly by itself because of a probe core and the advantages of modern nuclear technology (RTG). If you don´t want to have a cockpit waiting next to the Runway, I suggest using the awesome Take Command mod for manning this thing.

Landing (manned or unmanned) is also easy. Aim for a good spot, shut down the engines and glide down. You can deaccelerate further with two drogue chutes provided, but only do so close or on the ground.

If you are interested in stats, CoL and all that other stuff, here is a crowded SPH picture for you:

You want to have a look at this plane in 3D? Here you are!

And now, if you like this plane you can either have a look at the BD Armory version or download the stock one.

AGs:

1 - Toggle engine

2 - Toggle rain hatch

3 - Deploy drogue chtues

4 - Drop bomb

Space 1st time - Eject seat

Space 2nd time - Deploy seat chute

Have fun, pilot!

[Alphasus]

I would recommend a spin stabilized bomb with probe core. Spin it, add find and separatrons and you will be much more accurate.

[Guest]

Oh, with accuracy I didn´t mean it wouldn´t fly straight. I meant that you have to eyeball the point of dropping, because you don´t have this nice little BDA markers.