Bogatyr-2 "Swansong" cargo spaceplane (3 models!)

[Ravenchant]

Hey there! I spent more time than I care to admit building and testing it during the past few days, but the Swansong unmanned cargo SSTO is ready to be unleashed upon unsuspecting customers flown

In total, three models eagerly await your clicks and impressions. All are powered by 2 Turbojets + 2 RAPIERs and have good RCS controllability.

Why was the name Swansong chosen, you ask- doesn't it sound a bit too high and mighty for this...thing? Because their Mk2-sized cargo bays are going to become obsolete the moment 0.25 comes out, that's why. And of course I had the bad luck to start building just before the coming integration of Spaceplane Plus was announced. Oh well... =P

2-7C (center) - general purpose version

Also available as subassembly!

This would be the only version if I could stick to a plan for once. It can put a bit over 3 tons to LKO- I managed 3.4t to a 200 km orbit, but the return was a close call. The top of the cargo bay detaches (action group 4) and can reattach after cargo is clear of the bay. Be sure to enable fuel flow from its monoprop tank!

2-4D (to the right) - resupply version

Meant for, well, resupplying stuff. Stations and similar. Its cargo bay can't open and lifting capacity is diminished to 2 tons, but it has more monopropellant and an easily-accessible docking port (toggled with [4])

2-8S (to the left) - science version

Just in case you have missed a biome or two in the mad climb towards tech tree completion, this plane boasts 3 full science complements in lieu of empty space. Accelerometers are missing- but what good do they do in space anyway?

How to use:

Climb steeply to 20 km, level out and continue climbing upon reaching about 1100-1200 m/s surface speed. Switch RAPIERs to closed cycle mode (2) once they are starved of oxygen and pitch up to ~30°. When the turbojets are close to flameout, shut them down (1), close intakes (3), level out again and burn until apoapsis is at desired altitude.

A word on airhogging

There are a few more intakes than you can see from the outside. I'm so sorry... nah, not really

---

INB4 "no pics no clicks":

2-7C in profile

Open cargo bay

The inside

locked in its rear position

2-4D docked to a refueling station

Enjoy! (yes, this is a direct order) =)

Edited August 21, 2014 by Ravenchant

[Roflcopterkklol]

Neato, nice job man ill have to give them a try

[GusTurbo]

Really awesome! I'm a fan of your intake design and it looks like this is very functional.

[Darth Lazarus]

dude ... just ... awesome

[Ravenchant]

Holy crap, people, thanks for all the reputation!

[Overfloater]

This plane looks fantastic,

and you don't really need those Spaceplane+ parts, do you... ;-D