Spectre - Heavy VTOL Gunship

[Cupcake...]

07/09/2014 UPDATE: CRAFT UPGRADED, DS MODEL ADDED TO ARCHIVE

Spectre (ˈspɛktə) or specter.

(n) A mental image of something unpleasant or menacing.

[C17: from Latin spectrum, from specere to look at]

Presenting the all new Spectre; a Heavy VTOL Gunship that has everything you need to make life very unpleasant for anyone or anything on the recieving end.

The Spectre comes in four flavours; first up is the Model-M which comes equipped with up to 40 high velocity missiles. Nasty.

Next up we have the all new D-Model or Diplomat edition. This model will let you export democracy at a range of up to 8km!

NEW: The Model G is specially designed for low G operations and sports the all new Twizzler missile, it's also fitted with RCS as standard.

Finally we have the Model-T; an unarmed trainer version that swaps ordinance for extra fuel.

Vertical axis control and easy mounting points allow the Spectre to be launched into orbit for extra planetary missions.

KEY FEATURES:

• Heavy Payload Capability
  
• High Crew Survivability
  
• Agile But Stable Handling
  
• Capable Of Long Range Operations
  
• Excellent Accuracy With Tight Groupings For Projectile Weapons
  

Craft File:

http://goo.gl/EVh7uQ

Owner's Manual:

A joystick with a twist yaw is highly recommended. Also while the craft is stock you'll need Romfarer's Docking Cam mod for targeting...

http://kerbal.curseforge.com/plugins/220272-lazor-docking-cam. Like all my craft the Spectre features a horizontal axis pit for suborbital flying and a vertical axis docking port for orbital piloting and navigation. The top docking port operates in line with the engines and must be used when performing burns with the navbal. You can also use the top docking port if you'd rather fly the Spectre like a regular rocket.

Controls:

1 - Toggle Jets

2 - Toggle Rockets

3 - Toggle War Lamps

9 - Toggle Ladder

0 - Reduce Reaction Wheel Torque

SPACE/STAGE - FIRE!

ABORT - Jettison Stores

General Operations:

Where possible cruise along using your jet engines, the rockets should be only be used in combat situations, landings, or emergencies. Compared to the Banshee the rockets on the Spectre have a lot less power so some finesse is required with the throttle. On the plus side the rocket engines are a lot more efficient and will keep burning for a long time. By default the reserve tank is left empty but can be filled if extended ranges are needed. RCS, Drop Tanks or other subsystems can mounted on the secondary hard-points. The ship comes equipped with four reaction wheel units giving it excellent handling for a ship of its size.

Model - M:

The targeting port is located on the nose and is angled 10* down to ensure proper trajectories. Activate the docking port camera from this port before attacking. You can engage moving targets at a range of up to 300m and static tagets at ranges of 1.5km+. The balistics are similar to the Banshee model but the groupings are a lot tighter. With a full load of 40 missiles the part count is pushing 300 which can make things a bit laggy (at least on my machine), generally I tend to only fly with 20 missiles for this reason.

Model - D:

You MUST make sure the SAS is activated and the "control from here" selected on the docking port of the missile about to be fired. Select your target before firing. Once in the air try and keep your projected course (Yellow Circle) centered on your target (Pink Retical) if you do this you should score hits the majority of the time. While the missiles have been tested at 8km they can sometimes run into collision issues due to the high speeds the warheads attain. Operating at 4-5km generally results in less of these issues arising.

The missiles can also operate autonomously if need be, pressing the Abort key will let you detach the warheads and retreat to a safe distance. Folding the gear will reduce the chances of the missiles toppling over during detachment. The abort key can also be used to quickly switch to the secondary armament in emergencies.

Model - G:

This model works in a similar was to the M version but with a few subtle changes. Firstly the gun sight is mounted straight on rather then 10* down. This means you have to aim just above your target (the opposite to the M Model). This version also packs RCS for docking or orbital adjustments, I'd reccomend leaving it off during combat as I find it clashes with the reaction wheels. This model still has jet engines and carries a total of 160 units of jet fuel for them, the idea being you can fly back and land safely at KSC at the end of a mission.

Model - DS: (NEW)

Just like the G model, just without the jet engines. It can still make a powered landing back on Kerbin providing it's not carrying anything.

Right, I think that's it, I hope you guys enjoy the craft. I've included the mission featured in the video in the craft folder, I hope you guys enjoy that too. I'll try and make additional missions when I get a bit of time.

Cupcake...

Edited September 7, 2014 by Cupcake...

[WooDzor]

^^ And that's what I meant with a clean craft! Love it!

[Cupcake...]

^^ And that's what I meant with a clean craft! Love it!

Cheers! Yeah, it didn't come out too badly this one.

Cupcake...

[inigma]

Awesome sauce. Hey you should load these things onto the SSI DMP Server.

[Cupcake...]

Awesome sauce. Hey you should load these things onto the SSI DMP Server.

I'd love to! Although wouldn't the lag be something horrific?!

Cupcake...

[ArcticX9]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Cupcake... again."

[Kerbayashi Maru]

That's one sweet looking dropship. They don't call you Cupcake for nothing!

[Darthzeus]

I'd love to! Although wouldn't the lag be something horrific?!

Cupcake...

Nah, the lag ain't so bad anymore. There used to be some bad FPS lag, back when you couldn't recover vessels and KSC became a junkyard, but that's fixed, and Server lag isn't an issue with DMP anymore, that was fixed in the move from KMP to DMP

[Cupcake...]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Cupcake... again."

That's one sweet looking dropship. They don't call you Cupcake for nothing!

Thanks guys, that's really great to hear.

Nah, the lag ain't so bad anymore. There used to be some bad FPS lag, back when you couldn't recover vessels and KSC became a junkyard, but that's fixed, and Server lag isn't an issue with DMP anymore, that was fixed in the move from KMP to DMP

Good to know. I'll have to give it a go one day.

Cupcake..

[astecarmyman]

I'd like you to test this gunship on my Panther Tank! (to see if those light missiles can affect tanks)

[inigma]

I'd love to! Although wouldn't the lag be something horrific?!

Cupcake...

Actually DMP is quite stable. No lag realy.

[Cupcake...]

I'd like you to test this gunship on my Panther Tank! (to see if those light missiles can affect tanks)

It would be interesting to find out.

Actually DMP is quite stable. No lag realy.

Is that right? How about I jump on next weekend and give it a go. Mind if I bring this?

Cupcake...

Edited June 26, 2014 by Cupcake...

[astecarmyman]

It would be interesting to find out.

Is that right? How about I jump on next weekend and give it a go. Mind if I bring this?

Cupcake...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LFohqYyys

Sure! I'm positive that you can disable the Tank's turret, (there are weakspots that can be exploited with careful aim.)

The viewport *cough* Roof *cough*

But can you do any damage to the main hull? (you probably won't but it doesn't hurt to try )

My new Panther II is gonna be released when I get back from this camp. It packs in some heavy reactive armor.

[inigma]

It would be interesting to find out.

Is that right? How about I jump on next weekend and give it a go. Mind if I bring this?

Cupcake...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LFohqYyys

Bring it!

[Cupcake...]

Sure! I'm positive that you can disable the Tank's turret, (there are weakspots that can be exploited with careful aim.)

The viewport *cough* Roof *cough*

But can you do any damage to the main hull? (you probably won't but it doesn't hurt to try )

My new Panther II is gonna be released when I get back from this camp. It packs in some heavy reactive armor.

We'll have to do a test run one day.

Bring it!

I would like to try DMP but I think I'd better leave the weapons as home until I get better aquainted with it.

Cupcake...

Edited June 26, 2014 by Cupcake...

[Darthzeus]

Nice, trying the mission now. Have you considered converting it to a full-fledged scenario? That would make it more polished seeming. Anyway, just food for thought. Good work!

[Cupcake...]

Nice, trying the mission now. Have you considered converting it to a full-fledged scenario? That would make it more polished seeming. Anyway, just food for thought. Good work!

I have, I've even got dreams for a series of fully fledged campaigns with storys to match. Trouble is I'm stretched pretty thin at the moment so haven't really had the time to put into it. I was also thinking with these missions it would be cool to set it as a challenge and allow people to enter their own stock designs. With the airstrip mission for instance you could land tanks or amphibious viehicles to destroy the planes or perhaps use ships to do the long range bombardment. Anyway, be good to hear what you guys think about the idea, I mean there's plenty of stock military stuff out there but not many missions to test them on.

Cupcake...

Edited August 3, 2014 by Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

Good news everyone all models of the Spectre have been rebalanced and the craft is now .24 compatible, yay! I also took the oppurtunity to move the missiles forward on the M model to improve the handling. I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to update the combat mission yet but I'll do that as soon as I can. Early tests using BahamutoD's Armory have shown a lot of promise.

Cupcake...

[gGATORr]

Hey Cupcake, i recently made my first foray into the world of VTOL gunships. A fellow advised me that you're the local authority on this sort of thing, and I must say, I am extremely impressed. Not only with the design of your ships, but your skill in flying them. Anyway, the same person thought that you might be interested in this gunship I made, so here you go. I, myself, would be interested in any comments/critiques and/or suggestions you could offer.

Hope you enjoy!

GATOR

[Cupcake...]

Hey Cupcake, i recently made my first foray into the world of VTOL gunships. A fellow advised me that you're the local authority on this sort of thing, and I must say, I am extremely impressed. Not only with the design of your ships, but your skill in flying them. Anyway, the same person thought that you might be interested in this gunship I made, so here you go. I, myself, would be interested in any comments/critiques and/or suggestions you could offer.

Hope you enjoy!

GATOR

Wow, the weapons systems on this thing are brilliant! I'm assuming the burst cannon works by dropping things over a rocket exhaust? I like the tageting system too, very smart. I think with the craft itself less could well be more! I think you'd be able mount the same amount of weapons using four or even two engines. The basic turbo jets will also be better suited to the low altitudes that I assume your craft will be operating in the majority of the time. Id also be inclided to lose the wings and any other control/lifting surfaces as I find they just screw up the handling for VTOL dropships. Finally if you attach rocket engines to work alongside the jets you'll have much better control and could probably get rid of the prachutes completely. But yeah, keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Cupcake...

[gGATORr]

Wow, the weapons systems on this thing are brilliant! I'm assuming the burst cannon works by dropping things over a rocket exhaust? I like the tageting system too, very smart. I think with the craft itself less could well be more! I think you'd be able mount the same amount of weapons using four or even two engines. The basic turbo jets will also be better suited to the low altitudes that I assume your craft will be operating in the majority of the time. Id also be inclided to lose the wings and any other control/lifting surfaces as I find they just screw up the handling for VTOL dropships. Finally if you attach rocket engines to work alongside the jets you'll have much better control and could probably get rid of the prachutes completely. But yeah, keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Cupcake...

That is exactly how the burst cannons work I've been messing around with that type of thing for a while (started with trying to send Kerbals into orbit), and decided that I wanted it to be the main feature of my first gunship. And thanks for all the advice! I especially appreciate the jet/rocket combo tip, cause landing jets vertically is a pain in the ass (hence the parachutes ). I'll definitely be integrating your suggestions into my next ship. Anyway, I appreciate the positive feedback, and look forward to your next latest and greatest dropship

GATOR

[Cupcake...]

Heh all,

Just been doing a spot of tinkering with the Spectre and have got it flying a wee bit better. I've swapped to the fancier SAS units for more torque and less wieght. As with the Wraith I've also moved the missiles forwards to provide better balance. The warning lights or nav lights in the case of the trainer can now be toggled on and off using the no 3 action group and aern't linked to the engines anymore. Finally there's an all new DS or Deep Space edition which like the Wraith equivilent is powered by a pair of LV-909s. I'm afraid the D model is out of commision for now but I'll give it a spruce up too when I get some time. Cheers.

Cupcake...