Perhaps Sir Would Care For A VTOL?

[Cupcake...]

UPDATE:

I've just released the Stratos Model T. This version has been specially created to operate at low to mid altitudes on Kerbin. It features a standard jet engine with plenty of extra fuel in lieu of the intake stacks. It's designed to serve as a training model or can be used as a lander that can still operate upon returning to Kerbin. Download link is under the SSTO version. Enjoy!

As any stud farm will tell you breeding is everything, and in that regard the Stratos has impeccable credentials, coming from a long line of SSTO drop ships and taking the best elements of all of them. In many ways it's the successor of its wild but somewhat unstable cousin the Scythe, and in my humble opinion is my best light SSTO VTOL yet. As you've (hopefully) come to expect from my designs, the Stratos is stable at all fuel loads and a new drag management system ensures the craft stays controllable at all atmospheric speeds, something that was an issue with R-Type and to a lesser extent the Scythe. All in all it's an inspired choice for all aspiring rocket jockeys.

Detachable drop tanks and RCS Pods are fitted as standard, you even have the option of ejecting the air intake stacks, all of this without affecting the center of mass. A new front mounted port makes docking and re-fueling a breeze for novices and pros alike.

The Stratos features an extremely versatile and adaptable air-frame which can be tailored to suit almost any mission. By replacing the air intake stacks with extra fuel tanks you can turn it into a standard lander while still retaining the ability to operate in Kerbin's atmosphere. The whole ship has been built around the top docking port so can be easily integrated into existing designs using the sub-assembly saver, yay!

Performance is roughly the same as the Corgi, and with the side drop tanks attached they share the same fuel load and power-plant. Like the Corgi the Stratos can do a return SSTO mission to Minmus, but the fuel margins are a bit tighter. All told it's a touch heavier then then Corgi due to the weight of the cockpit, however if you're not fussed about running a pure SSTO mission, you can eject the drop tanks and air intake stacks to make up the difference.

CONTROLS:

1 - Toggle Jet

2 - Toggle Rockets

3 - Toggle Landing Mode (shuts down 2 of the 4 rocket engines for a broader throttle response)

9 - Toggle ASAS Torque

0 - Toggle Intakes

ABORT - Un-Dock/De-Couple

SPACE - Eject Drop Tanks/RCS Pods/Air Intake Stacks

INSTRUCTIONS:

Have you bought that joystick yet? No? Well out you go then, I'll be here when you get back. From personnel experience I can recommend the Logitech Extreme 3D PRO which has taken over from my old Sidewinder 2.

The SSTO version can be found here, it needs to move into your space plane folder in the KSP directory.

http://goo.gl/Qb1k39

You can download the Model T (trainer version) here:

http://goo.gl/axoEIA

Its got plenty of extra rocket fuel so don't be shy about lighting them up!

Like all my craft the Stratos features a horizontal axis cockpit for suborbital flying and a vertical axis docking port for orbital piloting and navigation. The top docking port operates in line with the engines and must be used when performing burns with the navball. You can also use the top docking port if you'd rather fly the Stratos like a regular rocket.

The easiest way to dock and re-fuel the Stratos is by using the front docking port, however if you need to preserve the balance of your target vessel the top docking port should be used as this runs along the center of balance.

The Stratos is usually pretty economic when it comes to power however if you need to top up the batteries you can find an extendable solar panel located just under the nose.

SSTO MISSION PROFILE

Before you waltz out to the runway you'll have to choose between taking the drop tanks or the RCS pods, delete one of them otherwise the Stratos will barely make it off the tarmac let alone into space.

Activate the ASAS press 1 to fire up the jet and fly verticaly into the sky. This will be a good time to make a cup of tea as it'll take about five minutes for the Stratos to reach it's pitch over point at around 15,000m.

At first you'll want to ascend on a 40-45` angle. Once you get to 20,000m pitch down enough to slow your rate of ascent, from here on in you'll want to squeeze every bit of speed you can from the jet. At this point the air pressure will try and force the nose down slightly but the new ASAS system does a commendable job of keeping you on course. I've added an air intake aft of the vessel which acts like a dive brake and makes the Stratos controllable at almost any speed.

When you hit 30,000 you'll want to be going at least 1800 m/s, keep the jet going as long as you can by slowly reducing throttle and press 2 to light up the rockets. When the jet chokes hit 1 to shut down the engine and 0 to close the intakes. (this will be the time to eject the air intake stack if you want) Pitch up to around 20-30` and keep the rockets burning until you've cleared the atmosphere (keep an eye on the drop tank's fuel level as they'll be ready to ditch pretty shortly). You can now (if you haven't already) switch command over to the top docking port and circulariize your orbit or set a course into the heavens. The Stratos comes with 160 units of jet fuel so you'll want your liquid fuel gauge to read a minimum of 500 units before you fire the rockets.

Once out of the atmosphere I usually press 9 to de-activate the SAS torque as I find the craft can be a bit twitchy otherwise.

Once you're ready to land back on Kerbin swap command back over to the cockpit. Press 0 to re-open the intakes and 1 to fire up the jet. Upon landing press 2 or 3 to give yourself rocket assist, this will help get rid of the throttle lag from the jet and ensure a smooth touch down. When I land I usually like to press 9 and reduce the ship's torque but that's just personal preference.

Good luck, oh and BTW I wasn't planning on releasing the heavy LV that featured in the video, but if anyone desperately wants it, make yourselves known and I'll give it a bit of a tart up before it gets sent out into the world.

Enjoy!

Cupcake...

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cupcake...

[hippiepanda the IIV]

i still don't understand how your drop ships are so stable.

[Wjolcz]

All Cupcake's crafts are so Star Warsy! I love them!

[littlebattler]

...

R-Type

boy if this thing does not come with the force pod I will do horrible horrible things to your farm.

(just kidding awesome work)

[TheAndrewTaco]

Yet another fantastic design! Also, was the music in that video Curtis Mayfield?

[Cupcake...]

Yet another fantastic design! Also, was the music in that video Curtis Mayfield?

It certainly was, well spotted!

i still don't understand how your drop ships are so stable.

Well, there are 3 factors that come into play here.

1) Fuel - This is vital, even though the craft is asymmetrical the fuel tanks, fuel feeding and engine placement are.

2) Balance - This is the rather tedious process of unplugging the joystick, shooting my designs into orbit and moving say a solar panel 17mm up/down the hull. I then turn off the ASAS, hit full throttle and if I've done my tuning right the craft will hold a course on it's own. Once this is done the balance/mass is in line with the center of thrust and the ship will be stable regardless of fuel load.

3) Drag - This one's taken me a long time to get right but through air intake placement it's possible to offset the drag from various components and make a craft that's stable at all speeds.

R-Type

boy if this thing does not come with the force pod I will do horrible horrible things to your farm.

(just kidding awesome work)

Well, if there's one thing these light VTOL's aren't lacking it's torque! The Stratos is ridiculously maneuverable if you do feel an urge to throw it around the sky.

All Cupcake's crafts are so Star Warsy! I love them!

Cheers, I loved Star Wars growing up as a kid, although like many people I'm still scarred from watching the Phantom Menace, I still get flashbacks of Jar Jar binks sometimes, but thankfully the nightmares seem to be less frequent now. I am quietly hopeful about the new films though...

Cupcake...

[Rune]

You have the same thing with VTOLs that I have with SSTOs: no matter how many you have, you always find yourself building another. And it turns out better!

Rune. Awesome job as always.

[Cupcake...]

You have the same thing with VTOLs that I have with SSTOs: no matter how many you have, you always find yourself building another. And it turns out better!

Rune. Awesome job as always.

Thanks! I still haven't made a nuke powered VTOL that can match your Grasshopper, I think that'll be my next project!

Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

UPDATE:

I've just released the Stratos Model T. This version has been specially created to operate at low to mid altitudes on Kerbin. It features a standard jet engine with plenty of extra fuel in lieu of the intake stacks. It's designed to serve as a training model or can be used as a lander that can still operate upon returning to Kerbin. Download link is under the SSTO version. Enjoy!

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cupcake...

[Comrade Jenkens]

How do you make so many working SSTO's VTOLs no less!!!

I can't make one or the other very well let alone both in one.

[Cupcake...]

How do you make so many working SSTO's VTOLs no less!!!

I can't make one or the other very well let alone both in one.

Well, there are players here that can make just about anything. Me? I just like making VTOLs, and I guess if you just concentrate on the one thing you'll (eventually) come up with something worthwhile. I should try and dig out some pics of the Buttercup (the first VTOL drop ship I released) so you can admire its hideousness for yourself, I'm not mincing words here it truly was awful!

Cupcake...

[80pilot]

You made me wish I hadn't put my base on eeloo

[Cupcake...]

You made me wish I hadn't put my base on eeloo

I've always preferred Val myself, it's really beautiful in a desolate sort of way. Val is actually like I was hoping Eeloo would look rather then the rather grim, grey wasteland it turned out to be.

Cupcake...

[Tyko]

Hey Cupcake, love your work! What's the primary engine you're using on most of your ships?

[Speeding Mullet]

13 hours ago, tjt said:

Hey Cupcake, love your work! What's the primary engine you're using on most of your ships?

Probably not the same as when this was created.  The Drop Ship dealership can be found here

Best plan is to post in Cupcake's main thread to get attention.  Good luck and welcome to the forums!  This is quite the necro, but necro posts are not always bad - this is a pretty awesome VTOL cup!

SM