The Three Bridges Cup!

[JumpsterG]

Here's my entry - 1:18 seconds. Just barely beat the current highscore of 1:19. I'm sure I could do way better, but I'm tired of doing this for now.

Thanks for a great challenge! It was something great to make a short video about.

Skip to 1:19 to see my actual successful attempt.

I really like the vehicle concept! Range is limited, but having wings for gliding and RCS translational control seems to make for a great little air scooter.

I wonder how far it can go if you're careful about gliding to conserve fuel? Maybe this would make a good alternative to a rover on Duna? (though ion gliders might still be better for pure fuel efficiency, I'm just musing, here!)

[Aphobius]

Here's my entry - 1:18 seconds. Just barely beat the current highscore of 1:19. I'm sure I could do way better, but I'm tired of doing this for now.

Thanks for a great challenge! It was something great to make a short video about.

Skip to 1:19 to see my actual successful attempt.

You beat and you could do way better, yet you can't read half of the rules: "In addition, it must be off the ground at all times except for when on the runway, and it must not be flown with the debug menu cheats. The plane must remain intact through the flight".

I don't think loosing half of the craft by hitting the buildings and the ground counts as "off the ground" and "remain intact".

Anyway, my craft was kinda big and not very efficient for this. My time should be easy to beat, if you can do it properly, I would enjoy the competition.

[BagelRabbit]

Here's my entry - 1:18 seconds. Just barely beat the current highscore of 1:19. I'm sure I could do way better, but I'm tired of doing this for now.

Thanks for a great challenge! It was something great to make a short video about.

Skip to 1:19 to see my actual successful attempt.

That was an incredible run! I’m amazed that your plane remained flying and under control, with all of the wings that fell off of it.

That being said, I unfortunately can’t put you on the normal Leaderboard, because of this rule:

[snip]

In addition, it must be off the ground at all times except for when on the runway, and it must not be flown with the debug menu cheats. The plane must remain intact through the flight. Other than that, you’re free to do whatever you want.

[/snip]

I would count the (important) parts falling off of the plane as a violation of this rule.

But this entry is so awesome, I can’t just disqualify it! I’m probably going to create a K-Prize-esque “Gatecrasher†division that showcases the wonderful attempts that didn’t quite make it.

If you’re willing to do more runs (which is a pain, I know), I would be happy to put you on the official list.

[Andrew Hansen]

If you’re willing to do more runs (which is a pain, I know), I would be happy to put you on the official list.

Ahh, OK, I see! Sure, I'll make some more runs sometime. I quite like this challenge, and I know my RCS plane is capable of more than 1:18 seconds - or less, depending on how you look at it!

EDIT: I did it in 1:13 without crashing! Will post a video soon.

Edited June 27, 2014 by Andrew Hansen

[Andrew Hansen]

Here's my better attempt - 1:13 minutes, without crashing!

Edited June 27, 2014 by Andrew Hansen

[BagelRabbit]

Here's my better attempt - 1:13 minutes, without crashing!

http://youtu.be/0B325yb7WkU

You're in. I'm marking you down for the light-craft division, let me know if this crazy little guy weighs more than two tons.

Wonderful job, I must say.

[Andrew Hansen]

You're in. I'm marking you down for the light-craft division, let me know if this crazy little guy weighs more than two tons.

Wonderful job, I must say.

Thanks! Nope, it sure weighs less than 2 tons!

[Aphobius]

Only a fool would challenge a God and think he might win.

EDIT: The speed is 0.0m/s at 48 seconds.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Aphobius

[DevL]

Only a fool would challenge a God and think he might win.

EDIT: The speed is 0.0m/s at 48 seconds.

Brilliant use of parachutes! Talk about airbrakes!

[BagelRabbit]

Only a fool would challenge a God and think he might win.

EDIT: The speed is 0.0m/s at 48 seconds.

Let me just say that when I first envisioned this challenge, I thought that the hypothetical top speed for completion was around two minutes. Now, I think that it's probably about 30 seconds if someone has a "perfect" run. The fact that this challenge could be completed four times faster than I originally thought speaks volumes about the creativity and quality of the designs here.

Also, interestingly enough, this is a very different route than most other people have been taking, and it seems as if it's a shorter one in terms of distance. Maybe something to consider in the future?

I'll add this entry to the leaderboard in a bit. Mind=blown.

[Galane]

Make it even harder. Include the gap at the end of the wind tunnel.

[Aphobius]

Brilliant use of parachutes! Talk about airbrakes!

Thank you.

Let me just say that when I first envisioned this challenge, I thought that the hypothetical top speed for completion was around two minutes. Now, I think that it's probably about 30 seconds if someone has a "perfect" run. The fact that this challenge could be completed four times faster than I originally thought speaks volumes about the creativity and quality of the designs here.

Also, interestingly enough, this is a very different route than most other people have been taking, and it seems as if it's a shorter one in terms of distance. Maybe something to consider in the future?

I'll add this entry to the leaderboard in a bit. Mind=blown.

Thank you for your appreciation, but it's a little rude to say that my time is 60% slower than the best possible time.

Make it even harder. Include the gap at the end of the wind tunnel.

Or the one under the helipad. xD But that would limit the challenge to small crafts and it would not be so interesting anymore.

[Andrew Hansen]

Wow, Aphobius, I'm tempted to try beat your record, but I suspect it will be hard to do. Maybe if I end up with a lot of free time on my hands.

Awesome job! That is truly impressive - better than slowing down with RCS.

[BagelRabbit]

I've actually completed the challenge with a reasonable time: 0:59, using Aphobius's parachute-slow-down method! I think that when properly piloted, this plane could, maybe, break the current record of 0:48. (My run was actually surprisingly poor.)

I'll add some comments and post this on the leaderboard later.

[Galane]

Or the one under the helipad. xD But that would limit the challenge to small crafts and it would not be so interesting anymore.

Just flying something under the helipad, without hitting anything, would be a challenge in itself.

Edit: Well, that's been done.

And the two island hangars

Perhaps allow pieces of the plane to be dropped and fly under everything in order of decreasing size?

Edited July 5, 2014 by Galane

[kujuman]

Only a fool would challenge a God and think he might win.

EDIT: The speed is 0.0m/s at 48 seconds.

Very cool!

I don't have the skill required to compete in this challenge, but I was wandering if anyone had used the thrust from another engine blowing onto the aircraft to help it accelerate? I would think this would be of most help at launch.

Also the rules say the craft can't be on the ground during the flight...is it allowed to use wheels on the walls of buildings or vehicles we park (particularly the astronaut complex, assuming the colliders are okay with it)?

Edited July 5, 2014 by kujuman

[BagelRabbit]

Hello! I'm back.

A few notes on the flight that I did and on the competition in general:

>I lost a lot of time over the course of my run. I probably could have completed the challenge 10-15 seconds faster, if I was a god and/or Aphobius.

>Speaking of Aphobius, I didn't mean to offend when I posted the theoretical best time of 0:30. The reason that I originally posted that was that in every single KSP speed-run challenge that I have ever completed, I take almost exactly twice the time that the winner does. I wrote that comment immediately after my 0:59 run. (Also, thanks for the parachute-deceleration idea. I'm using that.) Which brings me to:

>Parachutes are a really good idea for this challenge, while trying to get through the smallest bridge! They will cut your time for that bridge in half. (Thanks, Aphobius!)

>It seems to be fastest and most efficient running the bridges from smallest to largest. If done properly, one can execute a smart half-loop after passing through the medium-sized bridge and plow through the largest one without losing any speed. (This, however, is just my opinion and may not end up being correct.)

>Also, it may be faster to fly through the medium-sized bridge and then immediately back up through the same bridge, if your craft can turn on a dime. I'm looking at you, VTOL flyers!

[snip] I don't have the skill required to compete in this challenge, but I was wandering if anyone had used the thrust from another engine blowing onto the aircraft to help it accelerate? I would think this would be of most help at launch.

This is actually worth experimenting with, though my gut feeling is that it would tear the craft apart. I'm going to break out some Mainsails now, if you don't mind. Be back in a second.

Also the rules say the craft can't be on the ground during the flight...is it allowed to use wheels on the walls of buildings or vehicles we park (particularly the astronaut complex, assuming the colliders are okay with it)?

I would say that any rule along those lines is open to abuse (I'm thinking of "carpets" below the bridges here, and I think you may be too), so I'm going to say no on this one. Sorry.

(I'll add this to the rules.)

[kujuman]

I'm planning on doing this challenge correctly in the next few days from IVA...it's to test a mod I'm working on

...but...

I couldn't help but think about this challenge a lot today...so I thought, what would be the stupidest way to go around a bridge if we could use what ever parts we wanted...

[Aphobius]

Wow, Aphobius, I'm tempted to try beat your record, but I suspect it will be hard to do. Maybe if I end up with a lot of free time on my hands.

Awesome job! That is truly impressive - better than slowing down with RCS.

Thank you.

I always enjoy competition if you wanna try to beat it.

[GusTurbo]

Aphobius, that was simply amazing. You've inspired me to try to beat you.

[GusTurbo]

[Edit: I may need to make a new entry -- I left a craft on the launch pad that potentially affected the time. I apologize for making an attempt that even appears to be cheating.]

My entry: 0.0 m/s at 00:34.

Edited July 7, 2014 by GusTurbo

[Aphobius]

I was not expecting from you to be a cheater. Putting the "Hyperblaster" on the launchpad to do it at 0.5x speed doesn't take any skill.

0.0m/s at 27 seconds

PS: You disappointed me GusTurbo.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Aphobius

[GusTurbo]

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to cheat. I can do a new entry without it, I was really just too lazy to recover that craft from the launch pad. I didn't think it would make any difference, and again I apologize.

[Aphobius]

I forgive you GusTurbo, God of Kerbal is a merciful God.

[Majorjim!]

I forgive you GusTurbo, God of Kerbal is a merciful God.

Do, Gus is no cheat.

As he says its a misunderstanding. GO GUS!

MJ