Armageddon X71 & Armadillo (WIP)

[Somtaaw]

So I've been poking through the game for the last 2 weeks, slowly learning to just build function over form craft; and slowly assembling my first station ever (and aint that a horrid thing, even learning fast by putting it together). I've done some Googling, and it appears nobody has really completed (or at least posted pictures or craft files) functional X71's or Armadillo's. So as a personal project, I'm going to try and create both craft, as a total noob, using entirely stock parts. So these should be my first major form project; and thought it'd be cool to share the WIP as I go along, and this thread so others can follow along as this newb tries a project that's probably totally out of his league.

So I went and picked up the movie, and forced my way through the whole thing, clicking my VLC's snapshot button with wild abandon gathering as many screengrab's of every angle I could possibly require to build both an X-71 and an Armadillo rover.

Final count for screens (imgur albums of each can be made available if there is demand)

X71: 35 (down from 39 due to some unusable shots that had image corruption in the shuttle vicinity)

Armadillo: 45 (down from 46, due to a duplicate shot, picked up when I accidently shut the VLC down and had to scroll back to where I was)

Since we don't have nukes, let alone drills; to be classed as operational I'm aiming to meet a few goals. If any others have some suggestions for making these craft be classified fully operational, I'd be glad to hear them. Not guaranteeing I'll accept all, but some for sure.

Armadillo creation posts

X71 creation posts:

Armadillo functionality requirements:

-Jumpjets have to operate. To simulate the Evel Knieval jump, this will include thrusters in both directions, to allow Minmus and other low grav locations to pull a Grand Canyon jump

-side pod for a science pack, which will also come as a drill-pod for Kethane miners (possibly both, but we shall see)

-6 wheels capable of actually moving the rover

-enough lights to fully illuminate work area's.

X71 functionality requirements:

-Capable of VTOL, and re-entry into Kerbin

-must have it's full launch rocket, and strapon slingshot rocketpacks (rocket may be enlarged to accomodate launch mechanics, but the minimum is a X200-64 fuel pod, 2 SRB's on the main fuel pod, and 2 smaller SRB's on the shuttle itself)

-3 landing struts. No more, no less

-Side mounted docking port for refuelling and crew transfer.

Optional function requirement: Must be large enough to carry an Armadillo-class lander.

This is going to be an optional requirement that I'm going to try for, but if it turns out the Armadillo is too large, I'm not going to force the issue.... for now. I may come back in a few months (years) and try again, but I'm going for realistic goals here.

Update 1: First piece of work was going back through my screengrabs, and checking for duplicates and any unusable images. A few were found, but not as many as I expected given the amount of time I was pausing, doing the screenshot, and advancing. I also had to go back to specific timepoints frequently to slow the movie down alot to get the exact camera angle before it would get blocked by something/someone.

both image packs have been uploaded for viewing by anyone else interested in trying their hand in this little project, and as a backup in case of HDD failure.

Update 2: Within 3 hours of starting this project, and posting it, I've come to realise this is horribly out of my league. Zero experience with rovers, or planes (SSTO or other) makes this an insane project to start. However, I plan to stick with the general concept, under the probably mistaken belief that aiming high simply accelerates learning. After all, if I could stick with the utter horror that was the early years of EVE Online, I should be able to handle accelerated learning in KSP.

Tabling the X71 for now, due to lack of appropriately shaped parts, and lack of understanding general spaceplane mechanics. Thoughts of a small Armadillo are also tabled, both due to wheel bases to be used, and lack of general experience in rovers. Work continues

Edited April 27, 2014 by Somtaaw

[Chiboko]

Good luck

[Cmdr. Arn1e]

Sounds promising

BUT, I think this should be in spacecraft exchange, along with the rest of the WIP's and other ships... (MOD will probably move it soon...)

And it's a good idea to include imgur albums anyway, we like looking at other people's pretty and/or functional ships

[CDXX-rocketman]

Didn't the X-71 use the same boosters (except the ones on its back) as the shuttle and also external tank?

Seeing as how well the component space shuttle was made,it seems like it could be used as a chassis

with permission of course.

I would love to have this shuttle in the game.that would be sick.

[Pecan]

... X71's or Armadillo's...picked up the movie...VLC's snapshot button...the Evel Knieval jump...Kethane miners...slingshot rocketpacks...

I understood "movie", but not which one, and "Kethane", which makes things non-stock.

Given that you're not doing this stock and trying to do Hollywood you might as well just make a 3d model of what you need.