How do you keep really large space planes from collapsing under their own weight merely loading into the runway?

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

I've got this BubbleGump monstrosity built in the VAB... but every time I try to launch it, it collapses as soon as the runway loads.  Before I can even see the plane fully rendered, UppityKerman tells me "That could have gone better!"

Don't even get to see if it will roll down the runway or deploy the rover inside the cargo bay.

It's got lots of struts.

Halp?

Edited March 10, 2023 by JoeSchmuckatelli

[cocoscacao]

Haven't tried something like this.... My first guess would be to add a ton of landing gears to support the structure.

Cool design btw 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

34 minutes ago, cocoscacao said:

Haven't tried something like this.... My first guess would be to add a ton of landing gears to support the structure.

Cool design btw 

Thanks!

It's got 4.  That honking huge central section is an XL Cargo Bay - the only thing my Rover would fit inside.

 

Can't put wheels on the cargo bay doors

 

The whole purpose of this silly thing is to see if I can get a large rover airborne and delivered... and I can't even test deployment, much less flight as it shatters the second the game loads it to the runway.

Edited March 10, 2023 by JoeSchmuckatelli

[cocoscacao]

Another large landing gear on that central fuel tank. Just to keep it in place. Best guess mate

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

11 minutes ago, cocoscacao said:

Another large landing gear on that central fuel tank. Just to keep it in place. Best guess mate

Followed your suggestion.  No change.

Not a bad suggestion - it's just not working.

[Guest]

I think you've got too many things surface-attached to the main stack and outwards from that. Try attaching the wings directly to the main stack, and then the side things to the wings instead of surface-attaching them too the main stack or each other. 

 

 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

13 hours ago, Periple said:

I think you've got too many things surface-attached to the main stack and outwards from that. Try attaching the wings directly to the main stack, and then the side things to the wings instead of surface-attaching them too the main stack or each other. 

 

 

I went and did that with a total rebuild - seems to be a better solution - but I keep having problems with side mounted stuff floating around or flexing weirdly - but at least they fly.  Most of my planes fly like I've connected everything with duct tape; verry flappy.

[Guest]

In all fairness that is a bit of a delightful monstrosity, flapping its wings is a bonus 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

1 hour ago, Periple said:

In all fairness that is a bit of a delightful monstrosity, flapping its wings is a bonus 

I just wanted to see it roll.  Whole purpose of that build was to test deployment of the rover.  The next step was going to be seeing what needed tweaking to get off the ground.

Answer?

Apparently EVERYTHING!