KerbalX

1.12.5 Craft File Update

• Main Landing Gear (rear gear) steering disabled (1.4.2)
• Flaps now deploy with key 4 but no auto-deploy on landing
• Removed invalid KIS part module references (1.7.1)
• At some point between 1.5 and 1.7 the ladders became bugged and will not let a kerbal exit the ladders at the top to board the craft
• Flight Tested and 1.12.5 Approved!

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 73
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.12.5

Description

Following an embarassing Krakonian espionage incident, Kerbin Air Command put out a desperate RFP for a Next Gen Air Superiority Fighter to replace their aging fleet of FA-02’s. The engineers at Untied Technologies were more than happy to respond! …for a price of course.

A stock aircraft called FA-27 Tempest. Built with 73 of the finest parts, its root part is Mark2Cockpit.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.5.

Design Notes

Although some might scoff at the ability to over-control by yanking the stick back at the end of the runway. It wasn’t by accident and you always maintain control regardless of which direction you point the nose. I thought it was neat having the ability to perform those snap-turns and even fly backwards a bit. Performing controlled flat spins might hint at why the craft name was chosen along with that blueprint tornado graphic.

This craft is also unique in that I noticed the following during flight testing. At low altitude and high speed with afterburner engaged, so much heat is generated that it eventually causes the engines to explode! To counter this, I added two functional heat-sinks to the airframe that are automatically turned on/off when you toggle the afterburners. So those things aren’t just for looks, they have a very specific purpose.

In all my designs I very seldomly (never?) add gadgets just for looks. I don’t particularly like using things just because I want to create a shape. …a bunch of wheels grouped as the nose of a plane for instance, or hundreds of thermometers curved into fenders, fuel tanks as cockpits, hundreds of radial parachutes to build a car, etc. I just tend to find the usage of parts like that distasteful. I think my one deviation may have been the solar panels I used strategically on my big hydrofoil cruiser that appear to be windows of an observation/command deck.