Electric stunt plane "Dragonfly" with mid-point pivot

[nelso]

The "tail plane" is on a pivot in this design, which allows extreme maneuverability.  It allows very short takeoffs and landings.  On takeoff, the tail plane is pivoted up, which forces the nose up in response, allowing very slow takeoff speeds.  More importantly, it allows the tailplane to be pivoted far away from ground, avoiding most of the issues with takeoff.  On landing, a similar mechanism is used - the tail can pushed way up to get control of speed.

Tail plane keys configured to W and S in this.  I sometimes configure to 2 and 1 instead.  '3' reverses the propeller direction.

Image:

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTiYm6I3nPQ

Craft file https://mega.nz/#!Y1oTVApJ!u1kl3k-gt3G0MtGJdcwMneXo-eT3-Lt-tDDYUnwGBYU

Made with KSP 1.7.3.  Mods used: Firespitter & Infernal robotics: InfernalRobotics_v3.0.2.zip , Firespitter_7.13.zip

Edited November 2, 2019 by nelso
embedding image

[qzgy]

Neat. Just an FYI, you can embed images with the direct link (for imgur the link with the image extension, usually has an i.imgur.com link) 

Your image

What's the flight time like? 

[nelso]

It's essentially infinite if you add more solar panels.  I was able to maintain constant flight flying west, using MechJeb to maintain heading, speed and altitude, and adjusting the speed so the orbital speed was 0m/s.  The firespitter propellers are probably OP, same with the wings (they say they use custom lift code, and also if you put them in a fairing they will still act as wings).

Thanks for the tip on embedding images.