I couldn't even wait for the RAPIER engines

[CalculusWarrior]

I'm super pumped about 0.23 and the SABRE-esque engines. As such, I was planning to build a Skylon spacecraft when the update dropped, but I couldn't wait until tomorrow so I began making a rough prototype, powered by jet engines in order to test how such an unconventional design for an aircraft (I normally build planes with very long wings and shorter bodies) will fly.

Things I've discovered:

• Those canards near the front are a godsend when it comes to managing pitch, but are really annoying when they attempt to manage yaw and roll as well. I'm grateful for 0.23's tweakables, so I can disable their function for those maneuvers.
  
• Not sure if its the odd arrangement of control surfaces or just the body shape in general, but it is a nightmare to maneuver when trying to do anything other than pitch up/down.
  
• I was also getting a 'phantom yaw'. Not sure if its the front canards playing shenanigans again...
  
• Nice and stable at all sorts of speeds but like I said above, only when travelling in a straight line.
  
• Having such a long body is very nice for landing and takeoff, but some of the connection points are weak, requiring quite a lot of struts.
  

Since the RAPIERs aren't in the game yet, I had to make do with the standard turbojets (I heard that the RAPIERs are quite similar to those engines while in atmosphere, so they should make a decent placeholder).

Also, that large hole in the middle of the spacecraft is there on purpose; I intend on using this plane to carry cargo into orbit! I'm hoping to be able to fit 2.5m payloads in there, but only time (and the power of the RAPIER) will tell as to the performance of the spacecraft.

What are your ship plans for 0.23?

[Stargate525]

Very similar to yours, actually. I'm also going to take a look and see if I can't get some sort of high-efficiency booster out of them for my rockets. Jet engine while in-atmosphere, and transitioning to traditional rocket booster once they get too high. I can't wait to see if I can't drop short-stack boosters at 40 or 50 kilometers up.

As for the wobbly-ness, I'd suggest looking up Ferram's joint reinforcement... but that gaping hole in its back is always going to be a problem. Have you considered strapping it piggyback onto it, or lowering the landing gear and having it slung underneath?

[Whackjob]

I decided to try my hand at SSTOs and planes also while I waited.

(talking to plane) Who's a fat little chicken! Who's a fat little chicken! You are!

[The Destroyer]

I had exactly this in mind to build in 0.23.

I have to go to sleep now, when I wake up and get on it might be released

[Whackjob]

Here's another.

[3mon]

I decided to try my hand at SSTOs and planes also while I waited.

-cut-

(talking to plane) Who's a fat little chicken! Who's a fat little chicken! You are!

Nice lol does that thing fly?

EDIT: Hehe question ninjanswered

[Whackjob]

It did, actually. Not very well, but it definitely flew. And it taught me how to make more rigid large wing sections, as you can see in my last picture.

[3mon]

I just cant fathom the horrors that might came from you getting into spaceplanes WJ

[Shuttle]

I am planning to build my first SSTO that can lift 10 tons to orbit. I've already run out of space for another pair of rocket engines so RAPIERs will definetely help

Having such a long body is very nice for landing and takeoff, but some of the connection points are weak, requiring quite a lot of struts.

I would call it "relatively short"

[Klingon Admiral]

Planes, pfft.

I will make this currently B9-using baby stock:

[Thomas988]

Planes, pfft.

I will make this currently B9-using baby stock:

I'm noticing a little blue wire thingy on top of the rocket. Is that a mod?

[RSF77]

It's an outline that projects from the base plate on the procedural fairings mod before you attach the actual fairings.

[Tidus Klein]

I actually have a plan in mind. " I wonder haw far I can get a mk1 jet fuel tank and two long 1.25 m tanks with two sabers and an atomic ~_• hmmm

[GamerMitch]

I can't wait for the RAPIER Engines too! I stink at SSTO's otherwise...

[iDan122]

Once my laptop gets fixed I'm making a full-sized Skylon. Hey don't steal my idea! Yes I'm looking at YOU!

[Moar Boosters]

I am planning to build my first SSTO that can lift 10 tons to orbit. I've already run out of space for another pair of rocket engines so RAPIERs will definetely help

I would call it "relatively short"

Thats a nice little plane you have there.

[Urban_K]

[*]I was also getting a 'phantom yaw'. Not sure if its the front canards playing shenanigans again...

Probably not useful information: One of the "secrets" of Gripen's canards is that the hinge line is not at 90 deg but raked back, because otherwise it would have trouble flying. Shows that some aerodynamic tweaks aren't very obvious even though they can be very important.

[Tw1]

I actually have a plan in mind. " I wonder haw far I can get a mk1 jet fuel tank and two long 1.25 m tanks with two sabers and an atomic ~_• hmmm

Pretty much my plan, except I'm just going to use a saber, a mk1 jet fuel tank, the equivalent FL tank, a kerbal seat, an rtg ,and a sas module.

And maybe some wings, if I'm feeling generous.

[CaptRobau]

• Having such a long body is very nice for landing and takeoff, but some of the connection points are weak, requiring quite a lot of struts.
  

Get the Kerbal Joint Reinforcement mod. Makes craft much more rigid, meaning struts become less of a necessity for normal designs like this one.

[Liowen]

I made my first attempt at a SSTO last night, I called it the Tadpole MK1. It flies nicely and I do not get burnout until 25km-ish I can get into a 100km orbit over Kerbin with enough fuel (well oxidizer to get back into the atmosphere) and then have to fuel the jet fuel tank for the jets. I cannot land for crap though....may have to work on that. Mechjeb is on it only to get some stats on it mostly so all my flying is by my hand, and it is not pretty to watch

I actually just took these pictures, and I did make some changes to the original design, but not many. I am not sure if the RAPIER's will help me though but I am hoping.

[wolfedg]

I built this SR-81 Bluebird (Resemblances to any real aircraft are merely coincidental) yesterday.

. It flies fairly stable but takes a lot of fuel to get up to speed before switching to rockets. Anyway, I like the idea of the Rapier engines, but does anyone know if they are realistic (could they actually be built?).

EDIT:Had the engine name wrong.

Edited December 17, 2013 by wolfedg

[Liowen]

The SABER that is being built would be the closest thing to the RAIPER (I believe the name change was to avoid legal issues).

[Skorpychan]

I'm just planning on adding labs to big rockets and stations. It may necessitate gigantic rockets to land the things on bodies.

It mostly depends on how heavy they ARE.

[Hodo]

I have no clue what a RAPIER engine is. I know what a SABRE is but never heard of the RAPIER... when I here of it I think of the flimsy sword used in the later 17th century.

But SSTOs are easy.... I have only built a few.

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And a couple without wings, that are lifting body designs.

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[Pds314]

Curious about RAPIER vs. B9 SABRE vs. Jets+LV-909s/Aerospikes vs. Jets+LV-Ts vs. Jets+LV-Ns vs. Jets+48-7s (mainsails and skippers are worthless other than for lowering part count, they have less Isp and TWR). Obviously, FAR would make a pretty substantial difference in which one works best, but I'm still interested either way.

Ironically, all are far INFERIOR to real SABRE engines in thrust and Isp.

A real SABRE has 3000 kN of thrust and an Isp of 3500 air, 460 vacuum. B9 SABRE has 390 Isp in space. A RAPIER has 360 in space. Sure, the LV-N has 800, but it has 1/50th the thrust of the SABRE.