New Version: Dispatcher's Self Flying Planes (Mostly & a Rocket) V. 1.2

[Dispatcher]

The planes:

Air Wasp (Experimental) – mixed engine jet uses rocket fuel.

Crazy Ivan – rocket plane (name from “Hunt for Red October†novel and movie, due to plane behavior on runway). Added solar panels.

Hammerhead – turbojet

Hawk V1.1– mixed engine jet uses ... jet fuel. Adjusted lift surfaces.

Last Shadow – single engine jet. Retired. Introducing instead:

Thunderbird – single engine jet.

Mosquito 1.2 – ramjet. Modified.

Nova Hawk – mixed engine jet. Better for experienced pilots. Kept ladders.

Shrike 1.2 – turbo ramjet. Modified.

Wasp – rocket jet. Retired. Introducing:

Nova Wasp – rocket jet. Included thrusters & solar panels from the start of its design.

There is also a rocket:

Hubris of Debris – concept demonstration craft. It shows staging techniques, various kinds of jet, liquid (even solid if you can find them) multistage boosters, “asparagus†fueling, jettisoning some fins; all in one craft. The payload is also staged. Unlike most of the plane designs, either use SAS or fly it manually!

The changes between the first version and v1.2 increase the odds of a plane flying by itself rather than crashing. Of course, the best way to enjoy the planes is to pilot them yourself or use SAS or some autopilot mod.

Thanks for looking! You may get the current package here:

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/dispatcherplanesv1-2/

Earlier forum posts on previous versions and pics are:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/46215-New-Version-Dispatcher-s-Self-Flying-Planes-%28Mostly-a-Rocket%29-V-1-1

and

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/46009-Dispatcher-s-Self-Flying-Planes-%28Mostly%29-and-a-Rocket

Edit: Pics below:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/46215-New-Version-Dispatcher-s-Self-Flying-Planes-%28Mostly-a-Rocket%29-V-1-1

Thunderbird

Nova Wasp

Hubris of Debris

Edited August 29, 2013 by Dispatcher
Added pics.

[syfyguy64]

Pics or it didn't happen.

Seriously, can you show some pictures of it, so we know how these look/perform a little?

[Dispatcher]

Sure. Since the forum came back online this afternoon, I don't appear to be able to insert links like I had before. This will have to do until I have time to figure out how to insert image links so that the images display.

Edit: links will now show up. Pics above.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/46215-New-Version-Dispatcher-s-Self-Flying-Planes-%28Mostly-a-Rocket%29-V-1-1

Edited August 29, 2013 by Dispatcher
Moved pics to start of thread.

[haydn1997]

Would it be possible to get one that's probe controlled and/or launched from another craft flying bomb style? also, is there any specific level of throttle required to get them to fly themselves or just put it to 100%?

[Dispatcher]

haydn1997, I don't know if I would be able to supply such planes, but it is possible to make such a plane. First, my planes include an RGU in addition to a cockpit (for possible future use and also because they make nice counterweights). One could make one without a cockpit of course. I suppose you could even launch it from another craft, but that's beyond my experience. I'm guessing that it would need an RGU but I don't know what would happen with a mass of parts in terms of gliding, without a controller. As for the throttle setting, my planes were tested only at 1/3 throttle during their development (the idea being to be somewhat conservative on fuel). You'd need to design and test it for a specific setting (or perhaps a range of settings, but that would involve more testing), to be in line with your mission goals.

I hope that helps!