Aelipse's Random Skill-less Engineering (cheeks)

[Aelipse]

Galatea: Mid-early game exploration jetliner (stock)

Required technology: 

• General construction (Mk1 crew cabin)
• Aerodynamics (Wheesley engine)
• Advanced landing (Medium landing gear)
• Basic science (Science junior)
• other less advanced aviation related tech nodes

Properties:

• Standard cruise altitude: 12,000 m to 14,000 m
• Standard cruise speed: 400 m/s to 480 m/s
• Range: Over 2,800 km
• Carries one pilot and 2 passengers
• Small cargo bay suitable for science experiments

Controls:

• 1 to toggle engines on / off
• 2 to toggle reverse thrust
• 7 to take scientific measurements (crew report, temperature and pressure)
• 8 to delete all scientific data and clean up experiments

Advantages:

Easy to fly, long range, perfect for those early-game survey missions (on the ground or below 15,000 m), cool box-wing design! 

Disadvantages:

Cannot reach high altitudes, doesn't have any ice-cream on board

Spoiler

Download: Galatea

Edited May 23, 2020 by Aelipse

[Aelipse]

Zeus Eternal, also lovingly nicknamed by the pilots as 'The Talons': Late game light SSTO

Required Technology:

• Aerospace Tech (Rapier engines)
• Nuclear Propulsion (Nerv nuclear engines)
• other less advanced aviation related tech nodes

Properties:

• Wet mass: 58 tons
• Dry mass: 32 tons
• Delta-v left after reaching LKO: usually around 2,200 m/s
• Glide ratio: 2.5:1
• Carries up to 6 kerbals

Controls:

• 1 to toggle all air-breathing engines on/off
• 2 to toggle the nuclear engines on/off
• 3 to switch the mode on the Rapiers

Advantages:

• Absolutely insane TWR in thick oxygenated atmosphere (definitely over 1)
• Well balanced, extremely agile, capable of doing amazing maneuvers (I managed to perform the famous Cobra maneuver) and pulling extremely high acceleration turns
• The position of the centre of mass is almost independent of the fuel left, meaning the aircraft retains extreme maneuverability regardless of fuel consumed
• Just perfect for LKO to Kerbin Rescue Missions and High Gee Adventure contracts

Disadvantages:

• No cargo capacity
• Slightly off-balanced in a thinner atmosphere - tends to pitch up
• Makes an abysmal glider (and presumably even worse hot air balloon)

Spoiler

Download: Zeus Eternal