The Starfighter

[CosmicX1]

I was wondering if it would be possible to build a stereotypical starfighter in KSP (or if it's already been done). The kind you see in movies and games where all the spaceships look and behave like atmospheric planes... But in SPACE. This craft would have to change direction depending on which it was facing (so you couldn't fly it side on to the imaginary 'space air') and be able to slow down without having to turn around. I'm guessing you'd have to use clever usage of RCS, engines and action groups (and maybe even rebinding some keys) to achieve the desired handling. I can't think of any particular uses for such a craft, except maybe strapping some 'torpedoes' to it, blowing up a space station, dodging through the debris cloud and, then doing victor roll as you fly towards the Kerbin sunrise!

EDIT: Well I meant to put this in General Discussion, but sure, How To will do... :/

Edited June 16, 2013 by CosmicX1

[sal_vager]

Not sure if this is possible, as the only games to have starfighters with decent physics that I remember are Frontier and I-War.

In neither game did the fighters really handle like they do in the movies, they make use of some pretty potent retro engines to help them manoeuvre though, and another game where you had "realistic" craft was Nexus, where ships clearly had engines on the front so they could slow down.

Flying sideways shouldn't be a problem, several games let you do that such as Tachyon and others (the Wing Commander games maybe?), the biggest issue is the constantly on engines, you wouldn't want to do that in KSP (or real life) as you'd very easily overshoot your target.

You'd probably manage something more like a hovercraft, that slides about a lot, rather than a space fighter plane like in Star Wars, though there's nothing to stop you making something that looks like a starfighter

[Panichio]

I imagine something along the lines of what sal_vager was saying with the retro-rockets to slow down. I'm pretty sure action-groups can be re-binded to a different key, so a key that's more comfortable (maybe space-bar, if the craft can be made to be only one stage anyway) could be used to activate the retro-rockets.

That makes me think, it would be useful to be able to have a type of action-group that only is activated while holding down the assigned key.

[zanzibar196]

So, based on your request for a ship that resembles the one from "The Last Starfighter" (aka: Gunstar)...

Here is how I would make it in KSP:

You are welcome!

[CosmicX1]

That's not quite what I meant by 'stereotypical starfighter', but thanks anyway!

I agree with Panichio though, an action groups key that works like 'f' does for SAS would have all sorts of uses!

I might try and build this craft myself and fly around with hack gravity on. That way you can have the ground as a point of reference!

[zanzibar196]

That's not quite what I meant by 'stereotypical starfighter', but thanks anyway!

Ummm... that is the LAST starfighter! Of course, getting creative... you could make a better looking thing... please post a picture of what you have in mind... I'll see what I can do!

Something more like... this?

or this?

Edited June 17, 2013 by zanzibar196