The Firestorm SSTO family (plus pushback-refueling vehicle included)

[1greywind]

The Firestorm SSTO family is set of 4 space planes based on highly successful jet plane design (The FIRESTORM). All planes share similar layout (wings, engine placement, etc). All have VTOL landing ability and are ground refueling capable. Compatible pushback-refueling vehicle is included in download. While designing this SSTO family my main goal was to explore different engines combinations to find most efficient one. Download includes:

Firestorm-R - R.A.P.I.E.R. powered space plane inteded for operations inside Kerbin system. It has largest fuel capacity in family. If refueled in space it has 2500 m/s dV and excellent TWR.

Firestorm-L - Turbojet powered space with twin LV-30 orbital engines. With medium dV around 1800 m/s (~2000 if refueled on orbit) m/s this plane is inteded for operations inside Kerbin system. As it turns out, LV-30 + turbojets is too heavy power plant for successful SSTO. It works, but is not great.

Firestorm-N2 - Turbojet powered space plane with twin LV-N orbital engines. With dV ~4000 m/s it has interplanetary roundtrip capability. It can travel from KSC to Duna, Laythe or Mun and back without refueling. Most practical plane in family. Highly recommended for use.

Firestorm-N - Turbojet powered space plane with single LV-N orbital engine. Has highest dV value in family (~4400 m/s). Has interplanetary roundtrip capability. It can travel from KSC to Duna, Laythe or Mun and back without refueling. Weak point is very low TWR (0.14 is a joke) thus leaving this craft only for use of very patient people.

You can find "How to fly and land" instructions and information about actions group setup here.

WARNING: those crafts are not FAR compatible. Sorry.

Information brochure:

Some pictures

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Video gallery:

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[td]Firestorm-N2 Duna landing

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[td]Firestorm-N2 Duna takeoff

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[td]Firestorm-N Laythe landing

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[td]Firestorm-N Laythe takeoff

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DOWNLOAD

spaceport link

dropbox link

You can find "How to fly and land" instructions and information about actions group setup here.

WARNING: those crafts are not FAR compatible. Sorry.

Edited January 21, 2014 by 1greywind
added note: those crafts are not FAR compatible

[Eldar158]

Wow, I impressed from your post making skills, this is the most beautiful post I ever seen

Oh, and nice crafts

eldar158

[combat squirrel]

Looks awesome, can't fly it with FAR unfort, have u tried with FAR ?

[1greywind]

Looks awesome, can't fly it with FAR unfort, have u tried with FAR ?

Sorry, but those designs are not FAR compatible. Actually you can lift off, but whole thing falls apart due to air pressure.

[Silverchain]

Looks very nice.

[Tank Buddy]

I'm convinced. Downloading now...

[Devinci]

Very nice post, very professional!