KerbalX

1.12.5 Craft File

• Removed invalid KIS part module references (1.7.1)
• Flight Tested and 1.12.5 Approved!

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 46
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.12.5

Description

A stock aircraft called Boing Barnstormer. Built with 46 of the finest parts, its root part is Mark2Cockpit.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.5.

Design Notes

Perhaps somewhat inspired by the Pitts Special stunt plane, one of my longtime airshow favorites! The origin of this particular craft design dates all the way back to Sept 2017 when I was working on another Wheesley engine stunt plane, the J-17 Skyjinks, which was more of a 300 Extra inspired design. Glad I waited a while to release this one as it allowed time for a story to develop around the Boing Aircraft Company, this being one of the first aircraft produced by the bouncy company, and now restored to (almost) original condition by Jeb and saved from his junkyard. Aviation buffs may also pickup on the not-so-subtle logo and name pun parallels.

I have a lot of fun with hammerhead stalls and wingovers on this one as it feels and looks very much like a stunt plane in flight. The bi-wing design generates a ton of lift, allowing the craft to turn nice loops, and biplanes just look cool doing tricks in the air. Holds a very nice knife edge too.I look forward to attempting to fly this one through the hangars out at the island base for some real barnstorming action!

Landing can be interesting as (true to life) this high-lift taildragger bi-wing design is prone to ground loops. This presented an interesting challenge to tackle with deployable control surfaces rather than forcing the perfect speed on landing. To help counter the ground loop hazard, landing spoilers were added that can be deployed with key 4. The spoilers serve as airbrakes to bleed off speed on approach. The dedicated AIRBRAKE parts were way too big and didn’t really fit the theme of this craft. The spoilers work well with the theme and more importantly, add extra drag at and behind the COM while on the ground. This helps keep the nose pointed in the right direction when trying to bring the plane to a full stop. Try landing with and without using the spoilers and see if you notice any ground stability difference.