[Showcase] Thunderbirds Are Go!

[Scrogdog]

I decided to put this in general because it is not really a challenge, per se, as there are no real goals.

Recently in another topic we spoke of different universes that we might have in game. For example, I run both a test universe and a reality universe that have completely different standards.

In an effort to dispel the unfair notion that those of us who seek additional reality features in KSP are some sort of humorless sticks-in-the-mud who don’t know how to have fun, I present to you my latest idea for a science fiction universe called Thunderbirds Are Go!

Yes, it is loosely based on Gerry Anderson’s famous work.

Here is the basic concept; regardless of how you run your space division, you will now also conduct ground operations with a fully realized, but quite impossible reality-wise, ground division called The Thunderbirds. Thunderbird operations are wholly unrelated to your space division, so feel free to run that as you please and as real as you wish.

Feel free to take this concept anywhere you like. There are no rules other than to have fun! So, I’ll tell you what I plan to do, and you can either do something similar or modify and change anything you like about it.

In my version of this universe, The Thunderbirds have two primary tasks (so far); post-mission vehicle recovery and removal of debris on the ground. All debris is unlimited in its persistence and may not be removed, ever, by “end missionâ€Â. The Thunderbirds do have limited space assets such as a space station and a rocket based vehicle to rotate crew. There are also several satellites in orbit meant to support ground-based operations. However, The Thunderbirds do not conduct space operations outside of supporting ground elements via LKO observation. In other words, debris in space is the responsibility of the space division.

My version of The Thunderbirds has five vehicles similar in capability to Gerry’s universe. These descriptions are what Gerry’s vision was, and then I show what I am using as a similar vehicle. Not exact replacement; for example, my Thunderbird 4 is amphibious, not submersible.

Thunderbird 1 – Hypersonic variable-sweep wing rocket plane used for fast response, rescue zone reconnaissance, and as a mobile control base. Currently: stock Aeris 3A

Thunderbird 2 – Heavy supersonic VTOL carrier lifting body aircraft used for the transport of major rescue equipment and vehicles, including Thunderbird 4. Currently WIP: Large Airship with winch and pod that contains rover. Rover equipped with landing legs on the front (thanks to whoever I stole that idea from!) to destroy debris on the ground. Thunderbird 4 does NOT launch from a Thunderbird 2 pod.

Thunderbird 3 – Re-usable, vertically-launched SSTO (Single-stage-to-orbit) spacecraft used for space rescue and maintenance of Thunderbird 5. Currently: My own Kerbal design that is not SSTO or re-usable.

Thunderbird 4 – Small utility submersible for underwater rescue. Currently: modified Dropship One reimagined as an amphibious vehicle.

Thunderbird 5 – Space station in geostationary Earth orbit monitoring broadcasts around the globe for transmissions calling for help; also manages communications within International Rescue. WIP: Average run of the mill station.

Before I continue, I’d like to give all the due credit in the world to the designer of the brilliant Dropship One Vehicle; Levelord.

Marvelous design good sir! My apologies for abusing this fine vehicle in this way, but I promise you that this vehicle will be used properly in my reality universe!

Thunderbird 4 in the water with gear retracted;

RCS elements removed. Front docking port removed and replaced with cone. Top docking port removed. What’s that you say? You still see a docking port there? You are forgiven; it’s an easy mistake to make as a shielded docking port just happens to look exactly like a shielded radar array!

Part of the fun is whipping out your trusty bag of technobabble!

The mission of Thunderbird 4 is primarily crew recovery.

Well, I think you folks get the idea!

So now, do whatever you like with it! Take it for a ride as stated! Totally mash it up! Design new Thunderbirds for the community! And yes, airships and the like means mods, but again, you need not use them for your space division just because they are there! Or maybe you decide to come up with a totally stock version of this universe!

But whatever you decide to do, make it fun!

EDIT: Astute observers will note the pilot of Thunderbird 4's name.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Scrogdog
typo

[daver4470]

It's not very realistic unless you install the custom addon "YouWon'tBeNeededTodayGordon.dll".....

[Khrissetti]

Where's Thunderbird 6?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbird_6

[Fractal_UK]

I must say I had a similar idea, I tried to create a functional copy of Thunderbird 3. Based on the idea that it needed to be capable of SSTO operations and capable of reaching anywhere else in the system without refueling to conduct rescue operations, I decided to go with it being ion powered in deep space. Unfortunately, the final craft was just too heavy to reach orbit.

If anyone can suggest any ideas how to make it orbit capable, that would be great but I don't want to substantially change the design because it really does at least look like Thunderbird 3.

[NeoMorph]

I was only thinking of one vehicle from Thunderbirds the other day... ZERO-X

Gerry was amazing at predicting stuff...

http://movieclips.com/pdem6-thunderbirds-are-go-movie-zero-x-launch/

Kind of makes you think of a real life spaceship that got a lift from a White Knight...

Edit: Oh yeah... forgot to say the wings and engines detatch from Zero-X and the main body then goes into orbit. The front part is the Martian landing vehicle and tank treads come out from the bottom. Now that would be cool for KSP.

Edited May 31, 2013 by NeoMorph

[Scrogdog]

It's not very realistic unless you install the custom addon "YouWon'tBeNeededTodayGordon.dll".....

*chuckle*

I actually think Scott will be the most bored in my version.

Where's Thunderbird 6?

Like most fans I am fairly "meh" with regards to attempts to bring back the series after its initial TV run, but at least this was Thunderbird-like. The live action movie directed by Frakes was abysmal in my opinion.

I must say I had a similar idea, I tried to create a functional copy of Thunderbird 3.

Well, even if it doesn't perform as you would like, that is still one heck of an effort in my opinion! Great job!

I was only thinking of one vehicle from Thunderbirds the other day... ZERO-X

Yeah, I love that thing! You're right it would be cool in KSP!

[Scrogdog]

Ok, Thunderbird 4 is going to need some work.

You guys should check out this guy's Thunderbirds if you haven't already.

Nice job, but mostly impractical for my purposes.

Here's his Thunderbird 5;

Awesome! But I'd never get it in to orbit.

Also, check this puppy out! I think I've found the new official cockpit of the Thunderbirds program!

Here's a link it;

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/sfr-command-pod/

[Scrogdog]

With the failure of Thunderbird 4 in concept, I've decided to concentrate on the development of Thunderbirds 3 and 5 simply because I am itching to deploy something that works!

IR now stands for International Recovery.

Thunderbird 3 has been tested with the new "official" cockpit and is complete for the time being. Whoops looks like I forgot to move the fins down after adding to the mid tank! lol

You'll note the lack of docking port. This is necessary because of the decision to use an "official" cockpit. Using radial chutes on it is problematical. Instead, it will use the KAS port on the back to conduct resource transfers. Crew will transfer via EVA.

The other thing about that command pod is that it should sink like a rock, but hey, this is sci-fi, remember? Only the Thunderbirds get to use them so the "reality" of the space division will be unaffected.

This is the core of Thunderbird 5. This station will stay true to original concept in the following way; it is not a refueling station. It is a one-man observation post. One man cupola means fairly luxurious accommodations for the occupant. The working day will be spent in the command pod, however. Future modules will add a remote sat control package and an advanced comm package. These modules are unmanned and their input/output systems routed through the command pod.

It also has a remote control ring as does Thunderbird 3 because of the need for near rendezvous EVAs. It also allows me to continue work on my heavy lift package without endangering John or Alan's life!

Edited June 1, 2013 by Scrogdog
typos

[Scrogdog]

I'd like to thank everyone who posts their designs and such on these boards. I am learning so much from you guys!

Two rookie mistakes with Thunderbird 3 hopefully corrected and updated image posted above. Firstly the fin placement was corrected. Secondly the RCS package was totally redesigned. By taking out the ugly circular tank and replacing it with two radials, I noted that the CoM was centered right upon the remote control ring, thus the new placement of the thrusters.

Yep, n00bs learn well from the pros!

[Scrogdog]

Program Milestone! Thunderbird 5 manned and operational!

What a great day with KSP! I'm really starting to love the unmanned control rings. My heavy lifter was a little hard at making the turn, but finally, with the help of ASAS, I managed to develop a flight profile that allowed a near perfect inclination, altitude and eccentricity but with only an 8th of a tank of fuel remaining. However, I was able to leave the final ascent stage in a sub-orbital trajectory, so I am very pleased with that.

Not all went well though, on my first success I looked and the guts for the command pod were missing! Argh! I'd forgotten that the cupola was the root part! I had to go back and rebuild it!

Great times!

[Scrogdog]

I don't think it is a mistake to say that the development and success of Thunderbird 2 will likely make or break the entire program. Yeah, I'm sweating it.

I was looking for a rocket VTOL that I might develop in to TB1 when I stumbled across this heavy lift body;

Wow! It even kinda looks like TB2 except for the balloons!

Slapped a mainsail on and took her out for a ride. One tap achieved an acceptable cruising speed at low attitude. The second shot shows her landed on the water with the side bay open.

You have to see this thing to appreciate its humongous nature. That cargo bay is HUGE! Also, not shown is the fact that the nose also opens up and contains a bay for a small rover!

Kudos to designer Devogen for this beastie! I love it!

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/0-19-1-wt-51-kerban-transport-wayland-corp/

And now, the actual possibility of a deployable-from-TB2 Thunderbird 3! This will be a fun toy to play with methinks. Needs some winches.

[Dodgers3000]

Hey new to the forums but not the game.

I got to say I love your designs so far Scrogdog, your first Thunderbird 5 is simply awesome. You know since your doing it for fun you could just Alt + F12 to get the cheat menu then hack gravity and turn on infinite fuel to get it to orbit then put everything back to normal.

I have been dabbling with my own Thunderbird designs for the past few week, I'll count them down

FIVE: Observation outpost in Geostationary Orbit of Kerbin(if I got my math right) http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641220833166/007CA3CDEA5ED934D1ECAEF4DD4175B27EFFC069/1024x768.resizedimage & http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641220811851/CDA67B7B87768A249F1355410FE57F0898AAC7EF/ even with gravity hacked and infinite fuel on it was still a little awkward to get to orbit.

FOUR: Crew recovery http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641220842081/D6BD076550DFE0955B3F026FC79D2713DAAF60FF/ I need to fix it's deployment tug so that it separates correctly.

THREE: SSTO for space rescue and TB5 supply runs http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641197280603/725C2EE3E78CF16532ECC1005A6F22222820FFFC/ this is the Mk III and the first to achieve orbit.

TWO: Heavy Lift transport http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641220797984/09E3EC9DCCEF78206108E1E80D08706F366B85CA/ needs a little work to improve flight profile and get the VTOL landing to work(right now it acting as an extra control surface).

ONE: High speed recon plane http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641206277662/E719B54FDA9A42A16033935DEE65C5FFDD7259AD/ it crossed the ocean to the east of KSC in 5mins and took off vertical....needs a lot of work on the VTOL though.

Hope you like them and look forward to the rest of yours

[Scrogdog]

Holy cow! Those are very nice birds! I think your designs are more Thunderbird-like than mine, with the possible exception of TB5, but yours is very Kubrick! Awesome work!

I think part of the fun is achieving a design that is Thunderbird-like and mimics the actual capabilities. Probably the closest I got personally was TB3. Doesn't look like the real TB3 nearly as much as yours does, but I remember thinking "now THAT is a Thunderbird!"

TB2 is so large as to be a pain to work on! Plus, there's quite a number of parts, it has it's own VTOL system and can be configured in many ways. It will probably take me a while to settle on the design.

The other thing I am learning is how to use structural parts, which I find a bit finicky. I got the idea while fooling around with some strutted seaplane landing gear for TB4, which I still want to have *something* to do with water, to make a sort of pontoon boat using two bomber fuel tanks as the pontoons with an official capsule at one end, standard jet engine on the other with a couple of scoops on top (more for looks than anything). The two tanks will be joined in the middle by structural parts creating a platform, or the "deck" of the boat, if you will. The I'll stick on a ladder and a few chairs and see how that works. I may even try to develop that idea a little more with obvious inspiration from the absolutely brilliant Dropship One and Dropship Two.

I think the problem with dropship two was two much mass below the water line, even though we do not have much in the way of realistic water physics. I have launched boats made by other folks and there is never too much below the line. Obviously, TB4 is going to take quite a bit of development. As it stands now I haven't strutted it up or anything so it will likely break in half by just making that little drop to the runway when you launch.

Anyway, great to see someone else having fun with the Thunderbirds! Keep us informed! I may end up stealing your TB3 idea if for nothing more than test runs. I love your design!

Edited June 4, 2013 by Scrogdog
typo

[Dodgers3000]

Glad you like them, it is a fun challenge trying to adapt the Thunderbirds to working designs in Kerbal.

I have probably given Thunderbird 3 the the most development time due to it being one of my favourites and how awesome it would be to having a working SSTO that is supposed to have luna range.

Here are the older versions,

TB-03 Mk I: http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/577864380331717593/7C4F324DE4409AFEA4F87CB4AA570CF973E88863/ I went straight for looks on this one since the orange tanks are the closest to TB3s red, was a bit too heavy and ran out of fuel with only 1/3 of an orbit.

TB-03 Mk II: http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/613893641187747042/953B18029E8AD7EACEE23834BD78A182F01A4000/ I went I bit overboard on the looks on this one, the wing pieces I used to mimic the reactor cooling fins proved to be too much dead weight...and when I removed them if felt apart on the pad

Since I know the basic shape can get to orbit, I now need to work more on functionality.

[Scrogdog]

Heh, I know what you mean. My TB3 is based on my first successful rocket design. Seems ancient now but it's only like 3 weeks old! lol

[ironclad]

Here's my version, all-stock except for the Mechjeb part:

http://imgur.com/a/C3j2g#0

Hangar view. Note: I've since removed one of the mk-16 chutes.

Engines are the LV-30 variety. The gimballed engine has too low Thrust/weight to take off (and this one doesn't have much leeway either).

Ready for takeoff. Jebediah isn't too keen by the looks of it... Also note the low delta-V: little room for errors with this one.

Takeoff! Very, very slow takeoff. Also, the vessel will go into a spin. I assume it's because of the engine positioning or the fuel being transferred from the central tanks to the sides.

Gravburn underway. Starting at 6km or so we finally get some speed going.

This port has since been replaced with a regular port. Since this is where the crew entered in the tvseries, I felt it necessary to change that. Also, the change only has a minimal effect on delta-v.

This just looks so cool.

After reaching 80KM orbit, this is the amount of delta-v left. Unless you send a refueling ship, there's no way you are escaping the kerbal gravity well in this craft. Also: this delta-v includes your de-orbit burn: no rcs on this craft (too much weight)

Just before landing. Trying to land without landing gear just ends in explosions and breaking parts.

Landed, save and sound. Velocity just before landing was about 10m/s.

This was actually pretty fun, all in all!

[Scrogdog]

Impressive! Man, there is some serious talent on these boards! Makes me humble!

That is one fine effort and SSTO to boot! And very true to the original!

[128MB]

Sorry for old threadbump, did anyone ever make a stock working Thunderbird 2?

I have a concept of dropping a huge container but the real one should be using a docking port to re-attach the container