KerbalX

Description

The Kakuzo Ka-0 was a prototypical test aircraft following half a decade of research, testing and engine developement.
In 1936, the Ikan empire purchased a number of DS-10 Albe aircraft for the purpose of evaluating and researching the powerplant’s capabilities. over the course of 3 years the Empire’s engineers were able to develop a V12 capable of nearly 2,500HP but at the cost of torque and fuel consumption, the results of these tests required creative solution on the part of the engineers.

As a product of unusual circumstances, the designers adapted unusual technologies. The Wakizashi (as it became known later in it’s life) featured 2 small diameter contra rotating propellers that were both thicker than, and would spin 1.5X faster than a normal propeller. Due to the engine being tricky to balance within a normal sized aircraft while having the same range, The aircraft would be built around the engine, with it’s wings attached directly to the center of mass to eliminate the balance issues, due to it’s small stature and weight, the aircraft would cruise at a greatly reduced RPM setting, roughly 50% power instead of 75% that was the standard for it’s day, the reduced power requirements, lower drag and greater lift/mass ratio were enough to offset the engine’s limitations, giving it a slightly below-average range.

The resulting 5 aircraft, known by their serial numbers, K40-XC1, K40-XC2, 41-XC3, 41-XC4 and 42-XC5 were very capable aircraft but very unpredictable at the same time, the first aircraft was mildly successful in it’s tests but when stalled, the aircraft flew backwards and was unrecoverable, frame 2 introduced a larger rudder, which would remain for the next two itterations. #2 went into a high speed skid during landing and flipped multiple times destroying it, and #3 was ditched in water during an extended flight. #4 was supposed to be the safest, most reliable version yet, but at 937kmh, the first knocks off the sound barrier caused a catastrophic
structural failure in the rudder, which then destroyed the propellers, causing the aircraft to disintegrate midair. the final and longest living aircraft was #5, which was designed with a strengthened rudder and limited top speed for safety reasons. this aircraft would go on to attain the world airspeed record of 864kmh (with the pilot surviving, mind you).
the Kakuzo company would use the lessons learned in these experiments to further develop their low drag concepts and high revving aero engines, eventually pairing with turbojet technology to form the Ka-5 Kosai, one of the most successful aircraft produced by the empire

To fly

just throttle up and go, to increase your speed, tap K and once the blade deploy hits about 49, you’re not going any faster, but remember to get to 49 in steps, not all at once. pull up at about 50]

A stock aircraft called Ka-0 Wakizashi. Built with 133 of the finest parts, its root part is probeCoreOcto2.v2.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.8.1.

Pictures by HolidayTheLeek

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 133
• Pure Stock