Engine cluster interstage node

[Darth Pseudonym]

I'd like to see the multi-engine adaptors (at least the rockomax ones) gain a centered interstage node below the level of the clustered engines. Yes, there are various mods and workarounds for this but it seems like something these parts should support out of the box.

Edited November 15, 2017 by Darth Pseudonym

[Spricigo]

6 hours ago, Darth Pseudonym said:

Yes, there are various mods 

Anyone that do only that?

[HeliosPh0enix]

It's funny because I posted a question about the best ways to get around that lack of node earlier this week!

[Helmetman]

Purely subjectively I find this a good idea. But if everyone wants this, and whether Squad is ready and able to add new things that involves remodeling their older parts, that's the question. I would definitely consider this something that should be stock. Especially since you can make pretty nice interstage fairings out of the stock fairing parts. It would help if the node was already there to build from.

I would say aye to this. It's a matter of remodeling a part, so no new parts needed. It helps with part count, because now you don't need to make a interstage setup yourself. So it's easy on everybodies end plus it helps people.

Now, as for the workaround solution for the meantime.

Press ALT - F12 for debug window (Win and Mac I believe) and L or R Shift + F12 on Linux.

Check:

• Part clipping in editor
• Non strict part attachment Checks

Add the rockomax adapter to the fuel stack. Then use a I beam and attach it on the same node the adapter is attached to. That means inside the adapter attached to the tank. You'll know this if the part attaches while popping inside the adaptor in the exact center. It will only do that with above options enabled in the debug menu.
Put your decoupler on the end of the I beam. Obviously the decoupler should stick further then the outer edge of the engine nozzles. If it doesn't then use some cubic octagonal struts on the end of the I beam to extend it and then put a decoupler on it.
Put a fairing underneath and try to build it so it fits the top stage so the engine clusters are concealed.

Like this[v]. These are all stock parts but they've been retextured with Ven's revamp.

And then a fairing underneath like this[v].

A more elegant approach? Instead of just the center decoupler on the end of the I beam you put 4x radial Oscar B tanks attached to the centre decoupler.
Make sure they're put in the same symmetry as the engines above. So your mirror the Oscar B fuel tank placement with the nodes of the adapter that have the engines attached.

Then you use a 1.25m fairing underneath the Oscar B fuel tanks. They don't need to be those specific fuel tanks, as long as it is radially attachable to the center decoupler and are smaller then the 1.25m fairing.
Put the fairing under the Oscar B fuel tank and fiddle with it so it closes over the engine attachment.

Like this...

Now you can simply put a center stage underneath the cluster from the above pic [^]

To which you can also attach other 1.25m strap on tanks to which you can apply the exact same trick. 

TIP: You don't require the smallest decoupler attached to the I beam. You don't. It was just easier to use as reference to show better on a picture.
You can use a sturdier 2.5m decoupler, move the Oscar B tanks above that decoupler. Then add fairings to that and raise them so they're not occluded by the bigger decoupler and make your fairing from there. I use autostrut, but you can very well strut such a thing inside the fairings.

Edited November 18, 2017 by Helmetman

[Booots]

@Helmetman- Another option would be to install Recoupler so that you can use one of the multi-adapters like you have but then with regular-sized decouplers and an inverted multi-adapter with a fairing below that.

Something like this, but with the bottom multi-adapter directly below the decouplers:

This saves you the pain of having to use struts down the center.