Gavin the Glider

[bulletrhli]

Hello, this is my first craft submission ever for the length of time I have been here on the KSP forums. I bring you, Gavin the Glider. It is a purely stock aircraft designed for high altitude flight. With its massive wings its capable of gliding for long distances with no power from the 4 turbofan engines in the rear. A connected wing style based off of no real life plane in particular! All kerbals will enjoy the soothing view from the Cupola cockpit.

Some information about my glider:

1. On takeoff, minimal speed is needed, sometimes under 100m/s.

2. On landing, heavy braking tends to make the glider tip forward, tap the brake to compensate.

3. Going 1700m/s at around an altitude of 30km and pitching up 10 degrees, in most cases the glider will maintain its altitude.

4. Has enough fuel to get around the planet, which takes just about an hour.

5. Mechjeb is recommended but not required to manage the air intakes if you are OCD about it.

6. FAR is recommended as it was how I tested this craft. Stock users may most likely have a different experience with my craft.

Actiongroups:

(1) Toggle top two engines.

(2) Toggle bottom two engines.

Extra:

I have added parachutes just incase anything should go wrong, note they are not designed to save anything but merely a precaution.

What I Am Looking For:

I am looking for tips to improve my overall skills when building crafts like this. I am also looking to improve on my design for the glider.

Download Craft File

==================== Pictures by Request ====================

Edited January 17, 2014 by bulletrhli
Slight formatting fix and added pictures of the craft upon request.

[DisarmingBaton5]

As always, no pics, no clicks.

[bulletrhli]

As always, no pics, no clicks.

Your wish is my command.

[jmiki8]

Wow! I think this thing would destroy my computer as soon as I load it in SPH xD How many parts does it have?

[bulletrhli]

Wow! I think this thing would destroy my computer as soon as I load it in SPH xD How many parts does it have?

Surprisingly enough, it has a very small amount of parts compared to some rockets I have design. Its under or just over 100 parts if IIRC. You can always use the welding mod to make it entirely 1 part but I think doing so messes with FAR because it effects the control surfaces. It shouldn't be too crazy on your system, check out the texture management mod to help with overall ksp performance should it be of any interest of yours.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/38577-0-22-UbioZur-Welding-Ltd-2-0-Playtest-5-Now-In-Game-Tool

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/59005-0-23-Release-2-14-Active-Texture-Management-Save-RAM-without-reduction-packs%21

[jmiki8]

Oh, just ~100 parts! That's not a problem! I expected like 500

I'm trying this out ASAP!

[bulletrhli]

Hey thanks, I appreciate you checking it out. If you have any suggestions, lemme know.

[spaceman1999]

Wow this is a cool glider. I may have to steal, I mean copy, I mean borrow the design.

[bulletrhli]

Wow this is a cool glider. I may have to steal, I mean copy, I mean borrow the design.

Hey thanks, very kind of you. You can take it, copy it, and borrow it all you want