The Mk2 Parts....

[SpaceplaneAddict]

I honestly don't get this. The Mk1 and Mk2 (fuel tanks specifically) carry the same amount of fuel. However, The Mk1 parts are lighter for the same thing.

Yes, I get that the Mk2 parts have lifting body, but if you look at the end sides of the Mk2 tanks, you can see what looks like a hollow space.

Anybody think that that should have some fuel in it?

-SPAddict

[panzer1b]

I view it more as different looks, and look at the bright side, you can clip a mk1 LF tank inside a mk1-mk2 adapter without violating volume logic.

Then again, i really shouldnt say anything about fuel, since i habitually clip fuel tanks, even into each other, to get the desired range in a very small size/shape as i like compact vessels, and big stuff is reserved for capital ships.

That said, realistically the mk2 parts should have around twice their current fuel, and around twice the mass, but i dont mind, i can always clip mk1 parts inside mk1 parts and get said result.

[GeneralVeers]

Nope. The Mk2 parts need the extra space for the different avionics control systems space planes use, as well as for reinforcement against the different stresses planes experience in atmosphere.

[FungusForge]

The Mk2 parts seem to trade fuel capacity for lifting surfaces, structural integrity, and cargo capacity.

[problemecium]

Yeah - collision tolerance. You can smack the Mk2 parts into buildings and the ground all day (at less than 20 m/s or so) where the Mk1 stuff would explode from stubbing your toe on it ;P

[SpaceplaneAddict]

I agree with all of this, but as you can see at the ends of the fuselage, those spaces look to be hollow.

-SPAddict

[Red Iron Crown]

Cylindrical tanks are more mass efficient, so the Mk2 parts are cylindrical tanks. They just happen to be surrounded by a lift-generating, heat- and impact-resistant aeroshell wrapper.

[GoSlash27]

The Mk2 parts also have the advantage of using the Mk2 cockpit, which has excellent drag characteristics. In spaceplanes, good drag properties often trump mass.

Best,

-Slashy