KerbalX

Description

It was high time I looked to the other atmospheric worlds of the Kerbol system as opportunities for propeller-powered affairs. The Daleko is a cargo plane capable of hauling payloads through Duna’s incredibly tenuous atmosphere. In order to maintain flight, a large wing area is required, resulting in the closed wing configuration. The wing is also angled upwards by 5 degrees in order to help generate as much lift as possible.

The Daleko is powered by two electric engines, each with 21 reaction wheels and 40 type 4 elevons. The large number of propeller blades is necessary to give the engines enough bite into the thin atmosphere. As a general rule of thumb, I use around 2 propeller blades for every 1 reaction wheel. In this case 40 were used instead of 42 due to symmetry limitations. At least two counter-rotating engines are necessary on Duna as the torque of a single engine will be unabated by the thin atmosphere. However, whilst the thin atmosphere offers very little lift, it also creates very little drag, meaning propeller aircraft can reach high speeds. The Daleko is capable of 184m/s when empty, and around 150m/s when carrying cargo. Maximum payload is 18 tons, though flight characteristics are severely hampered when carrying such a weighty payload. To avoid adverse handling effects, do not exceed 10 tons of cargo.

To fly, press ‘1’ to detach the propellers and engage the brakes. Switch to each and hold ‘Alt’ and ‘Q’ for the port engine and ‘Alt’ and ‘E’ for the starboard engine. Disengage the brakes and you will begin to accelerate slowly. Take-off can get rather exciting, especially with a heavy payload, but it will eventually take to the skies. Once travelling at around 100m/s switch to each propeller and press ‘2’ to change the propeller blade pitch.
Press ‘3’ to toggle the stabiliser wheels on the wingtips which can be useful during landings.
Press ‘4’ to detach whatever payload is attached to the docking port in the cargo bay
Press ‘5’ to toggle the cargo ramp

A stock aircraft called Daleko Duna Cargo Plane. Built with 213 of the finest parts, its root part is mk3Cockpit.Shuttle.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.4.3.

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 213
• Pure Stock