KerbalX

1.12.5 Craft File Update

• In 1.5.1 this one now has a hard time making orbit
• Something changed in the drag profile in the 1.5.1 update
• Removed invalid KIS part module references (1.7.1)
• Flight Tested and 1.12.5 Approved!

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 61
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.12.5

Description

The Krakonian FAS-15 Phantom Air-Space Superiority Fighter. Sure, there are better jets. …or at least that’s what we’ll let them believe!

A stock aircraft called FAS-15 Phantom. Built with 61 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2.1m.Bicoupler.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.5.

Design Notes

As you might expect… the craft flies considerably better without the weight/drag of the drop tanks. Use the extra fuel to get up to altitude, drop tanks, and VROOM! Mach 5.0+ …else just drop them on the runway before takeoff if you’d like to see how the plane really handles. The flight characteristics of the Caped Wing design are quite impressive! Essentially the wing is running from the nose to the tail as one piece with an aileron and elevator control surface. In early flight testing, I had some issues with maintaining flight stability and control in high-G turns, but a few proprietary wing adjustments later and we have the Caped Wing Airframe design.

During 1.5.1 flight testing I did lose one ventral solar array, but it was actually after re-entry. I overshot the KSC by about half the distance of the ocean and had to climb back to altitude to get home. On that second climb I had an explosion and found out it was just the solar panel. I was thinking of removing the ventral panels on this update, but decided to leave them alone just for the extra recharge capability. No big deal if we happen to lose one during the mission.