I don't like the orange tanks. They're ugly.

[lajoswinkler]

Not sure what you mean by this.

Me, neither. Which people?

Anyway, I don't like asparagus. Eating asparagus plants, that is. I think they're gross.

[cantab]

As mentioned, the orange isn't rust but the natural colour of the insulation. I believe the real Space Shuttle External Tank stopped being painted because they figured paint wasn't needed and it's heavy.

True, it doesn't always mix well with the smaller tanks, but that's why you can just use two 32's if you want. And to be honest, if you really care about rocket aesthetics you need to turn to mods.

[Dispatcher]

Since so many parts are basically shades of white & grey, I like parts with other colors (including the orange tank). However, my design choices are influenced the most in terms of dV, TWR, iSP, function, part count, etc., so for me "it is what it is" in terms of the look of the final design.

You may get an idea of my enjoyment of colorful parts with a glance at my sig line. When I need or want adapters or nosecones, I prefer my own colorful fueled adapters & nose caps.

Edit: I think the new LFBs have those orange lines on the tank in part to remind us that they are in fact a combination of engines & the old orange tank. In this pic the LFBs are topped with my fueled caps.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Dispatcher

[SargeRho]

The Orange tanks are probably based on the STS' external tank, or on the Delta 4 Heavy.

[Werwolf]

I very much like the look of the orange tank topped by that small half sized white one.

[Atheu]

I love the orange tanks to be honest, I think it gives character, but i could suggest if you don't like it try to reskin it with a texture mod.

[Dispatcher]

As a followup to Atheu's suggestion, someone might want to essentially reskin the orange tank based on the texture used on the LFB, if not already done on some mod.

[Jouni]

Well most of my rockets are Delta/Falcon hybrids anyway, so the orange tank works great for me. I just wish they'd fix that stupid engine heat bug it has.

What engine heat bug do you mean? It's extremely rare for any engine to overheat to dangerous levels, at least in the designs I've been using. I heard that there was a problem with Mainsails and orange tanks in early versions, but that got fixed a long time ago.

[Whackjob]

Orange tanks are ugly every single time.

Almost every time.

[tygoo7]

Someone on this forum once described the grey tanks as looking like "dustbins stacked on top of each other".

I agree. They look like shyte.

It's a shame there isn't a mod out there that allows you to replace the textures of stock parts, in the same way Texture Replacer allows you to change the skybox, etc.

Or is there...?

Actually texture replacer allows you to change the textures of squad parts.

[Comrade Jenkens]

I think that you should be able to right click on the parts and choose between textures.

[TMS]

I think that you should be able to right click on the parts and choose between textures.

Mac users only get one mouse button for their overpriced purchase. But yeah, it'd be nice.

[Jouni]

Mac users only get one mouse button for their overpriced purchase. But yeah, it'd be nice.

That's some ancient history. It's the middle button we are still missing.

[boxman]

I have no problem with the "Jumbo 64's. They are a staple of this game. Maybe eventually, as this game evolves, We'll be able to "Paint them" to what ever color we like! As for now, guess we're just gonna have to deal with it. On second thought, how bout putting some tinted lights on them to suite your tastes?

That is something I think should be in this type of game as well since it is all about designing your own ships. Being able to customize colours and/or textures would be awesome addition to this game.

[Comrade Jenkens]

That's some ancient history. It's the middle button we are still missing.

Wait? Mac's don't have a middle button for the mouse?

[TerLoki]

What engine heat bug do you mean? It's extremely rare for any engine to overheat to dangerous levels, at least in the designs I've been using. I heard that there was a problem with Mainsails and orange tanks in early versions, but that got fixed a long time ago.

I still get it on a few engines kinds of engines, though it's not too much of a problem as I find putting a little tank between the Jumbo 64 and the engine makes it look better anyway.

[bs1110101]

I very much like the look of the orange tank topped by that small half sized white one.

That isn't a tank, it's the space caused by the domed ends of the lower LH2 tank and the upper LOX tank, they didn't bother to insulate it with the same orange foam, so it stands out and makes some people think it's an extra stage or something.

[Technical Ben]

That isn't a tank, it's the space caused by the domed ends of the lower LH2 tank and the upper LOX tank, they didn't bother to insulate it with the same orange foam, so it stands out and makes some people think it's an extra stage or something.

I wonder if their comment was on the photo, or the game. As you can do that in game.

[thunderstar]

actually, the orange thank was made to resemble shuttle's external tank not from reused parts, also helps to reduce part count instead of using a lot of smaller 2.5m tanks you use it so less lag, also everybody knows almost exactly how big it is so its great for scales in pictures

[Spartwo]

Kerbpaint is your friend.

[StrandedonEarth]

I see an orange tank and I want to paint it bla-ack/

No colours any more, I want them to turn bla-ack...

(apologies to Jagger et al)

[Hans Dorn]

I still get it on a few engines kinds of engines, though it's not too much of a problem as I find putting a little tank between the Jumbo 64 and the engine makes it look better anyway.

It's because of the weird way KSP calculates thermal resistance - it's proportional to the distance to the center of mass of the tank.

Cheers

Hans

P.S the orange tank looks totally out of place on the new liquid fuel booster. Squad should add a matching tank of the same size IMO

Edited April 19, 2014 by Hans Dorn