KerbalX

The Grimes Flying Laboratory flying over some mountains after crossing Kerbin’s northern polar ice cap.

• l didn’t know how long this would take, and I wanted a more accurate range reading. If I went along the equator, I would have to account for the planet’s own rotation about its axis.
• Of course, flying north from the KSC would not guarantee that I would be over land when it was time to come down. That’s why I used the infinite fuel cheat when I was close to depletion radioed a aerial refueling tanker at a nearby airbase ahead of time to fly with me and give me enough to land safely if the time comes.

The Grimes Flying Laboratory on display in the SPH.

• I started with my old Beachcraft since the airframe and general structure are similar to the real-life Beechcraft Model 18. Keeping the tailwheel was a nice touch.
• I then removed the wings since I didn’t want the tips to get too pointy to hold the fuel tanks which would mimic the real aircraft’s cylindrical light pods. The replacement wings did a great job at accomplishing that task, and they were pitched up 5 degrees for added efficiency.
• Like my de Havilland Mosquito replica, I reduced the motor size and output to 25% but left the torque limit alone. The idea was to balance aircraft performance and fuel efficiency. In the end, while I didn’t get near my WinterOwl Beachcraft’s top speed or cruising altitude, I crushed its range. Having two blades per engine instead of six might have something to do with it.
• Unlike most of my projects, decorating and lighting were the hardest parts. I started with the wingtip nav lights, then the tail nav lights, then the blinking beacon lights, and then finished with whatever would make the plane look bright. The paint job was difficult to copy with the flags that I had.

Before painting the plane, I decided to test the airframe to see if it would at least work properly. Once I verified that it could take off and fly smoothly, I reverted to the SPH landed the plane and started decorating.

The Grimes Flying Laboratory flying above Kerbin while most people are asleep.

• Just like in real life, this plane was often mistaken for an alien spacecraft. Of course, that was before navigation lights became required for all aircraft.
• This photograph was in line for being the thumbnail for this craft, but I realized the plane itself was hard to see in the dark. So, I went with one with a little more (sun)light.

Unknown kerbal admiring the Grimes Flying Laboratory with all its lights on.

• The plane took off at night to demonstrate how effective the lights were, both on the ground and in the air.

The aircraft all lit up after what might be just the most humiliating perfect landing ever.

• The pilot had to rely on Alt+F12 a tanker for a last-minute fuel boost before he could land since he was over an ocean where he ran would have run out of fuel too far away to glide to safety.