build the M35 MAKO from Mass Effect

[thereaverofdarkness]

This isn't anything I'll be scoring so much as I was just wondering if anyone had a design like this, and thought you challenge-goers might be up to the challenge of designing it. The MAKO is a swift all-terrain vehicle that while it rides very bumpy just like rovers in KSP, it is pretty resistant to tipping over--not like rovers in KSP. It can hold 3 crew members and explore rough terrain at breakneck speeds. At lower speeds, it can go up steep inclines easily, and is very nearly a cliff-climber. It features thruster jets that can fire in short bursts to launch it a few meters in the air. It is heavily armored and thus pretty resistant to impacts.

What I want to see is a rover design that mimics the M35 MAKO. Props if it looks similar and handles similar, but more important is that it be able to run across the surface pretty fast without tipping over, or maybe can use its thrusters to right itself if it does--and won't have parts breaking off if it rolls. Since this is KSP, obviously the thrusters won't fire in short bursts. It should have enough delta-V to be able to make a lot of short jumps before it runs out of fuel, being able to lift into münar orbit or being able to dock/refuel are both a plus.

A good design might involve a low center of mass, helping keep it from tipping due to vehicular acceleration, and helping to ensure if it rolls or flips, it'll land wheels-down. The ruggederized wheels are probably the best wheel option from the looks of it, though I hear the really big rover wheels are pretty sturdy after all. Ideally it should have balanced thrusters allowing it to lift off without rotating or tumbling, and they should stay balanced as the fuel drains, but it might also be good to have a significant amount of torque. Low torque can also be good, as it'll make the SAS softer and more cushion-y. Also great if it comes with a launch vehicle for easy transport from Kerbin to Mün. It's fine if you design it to work on Kerbin (or anywhere else), but the Mün is where I will be most interested in driving it. Don't forget to mention where it has been tested/drives best, and include the craft file!

Though I won't be scoring these, I will place my favorites up here on the "leaderboard", with a small pic of the vehicle and what I like about it. If I'm interested in driving it, I'll give it a whirl and also mention what I liked about how it handles, what I didn't like, and what I learned from it.

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/M35_Mako

LEADERBOARD:

Edited January 19, 2014 by thereaverofdarkness