Now This Is Pod Racing!

[mike9606]

I was going to put something here, but I forgot what I was going to say.

[Endersmens]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........ *scratches head in thought*

[m1sz]

What mods are using for that? Other than the obvious ones, B9 KAS Q-struts. Are those Procedural Wings?

complete mod list is in the description of the 2nd video

[NKL]

Shall we make some clear rules , and a championship like the K1 challenge? This could be a great idea. I'm working on a pod myself, but without rules, it's hard!! I propose something like pWings; B9 ; no cheats, a limited amount of fuel (tweakable to lighten your pod !) and a fixed ( when fuel tank full ) TWR... what do you think?

I guess the last part allow to many jet engine to be part of the fun without being too cheaty

[TheLost]

Thanks guys!

I currently have 2 flyable pods, but neither can really turn sharp. Both just seem to want to make big banking turns.

So now that I get them flying, I just can barely steer them. T_T

Anyone want to post a download (the One on KerbalSpacePort comes in as a txt file then doesn't load right because it uses old KAS parts)? Or like a tutorial I guess?

Here's my most successful pod, it just doesn't like turning much. The best 180 degree turn I can do is around a 500-700m diameter. How many control surfaces do you recommend and where do you place them???

You can see the clipped control surfaces at the back. The rest that are clipped into the body are all fixed wings.

[the_bT]

I would like to see that... Only thing that bothers me though is, pod racers as they appear in star wars seem to be ground vehicles, while they are maneuverable when airborne, they certainly cannot fly. Obviously you cant put wheels on a pod racer, but is there some plugin that can emulate the proper hovering, maybe something could be made? With that It would be pretty epic.

Also If the pods no longer need the ability to fly it would be possible (or at least easier) to add FAR for maximum speediness.

Edit: Rules should aim to allow a wide array of designs to compete, the only thing I think is absolutely necessary is a separation into pod and 2-4 engine nacelles linked by cables.

Edited May 14, 2014 by the_bT

[Darren9]

KerBull-Air-Race started as an idea for a course for this thread but then I opened it up to all aircraft including stock. We still have the 50m archway that seems the most suitable for a low level pod race course. If I made another would you want it hard (very hard in the mountains) or close to KSC on the flatter or dark green ground? For rules I'd suggest no modified engines or lift surfaces, personally I'm applying the Goodspeed Tweakscale plugin to some structural parts to shrink them, not sure if that's acceptable.

Snjo/Firespitter made an experimental hover engine but with what happens to CoM/CoL with ropes and air-brakes I'm not sure it'll work too well. There was also a preview of a transparent wheel in the RollKage thread but I don't think it ever materialized.

I had to have a go at a quad engine, it flies quite well.

And, if it helps at all, 4 or 8 small control surfaces at the rear and same at the front. I just have 8 front and 8 rear and nothing else on that quad engine. You can also try reducing the drag of the airbrakes or increasing the "smarter gimbal" range of the F119 engine (though I'm not sure .cfg edits will be acceptable).

Edited May 14, 2014 by Darren9

[TheLost]

Really?

All my pods never seem to have enough lift without me CONSTANTLY adjusting pitch.

[NKL]

Edit: Rules should aim to allow a wide array of designs to compete, the only thing I think is absolutely necessary is a separation into pod and 2-4 engine nacelles linked by cables.

That why I was like doing a TWR rules thingy to allow monstrous pod too ! We should maybe force the lift to deactivate above a certain altitude? can this be done? Does a savefile got a .cfg or something?

[Darren9]

Experimental soon-to-be-released anit-gravity repulsor from Kerbal Foundries.

[Fengist]

Been wanting to try this for ages. Finally got around to it.

My VTOL pod racer. A little slow on turning but, hey, it works.