KerbalX

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 64
• Mods: 4

Mods

• Airplane Plus
• Modular Rocket Systems
• Squad (stock)
• TweakScale - Rescale Everything!

Description

It’s pretty much what it looks like: a 2-stage orbital spaceplane. The resemblance to the A-12 is a coincidence; the twin engine layout works well. Don’t start at full throttle or it will flameout, and remember to close the intakes when you fire the rockets. Have fun!

A mod aircraft called Blackbird SP2-C. Built with 64 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2Cockpit.Standard.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.4.3.

Operation Notes

-Rotate slowly so the engines don’t tailstrike. I would have made the gear bigger, but that weighed too much. You’re better off using most of the runway.
-Keep your speed up. Jettison the jets above 450m/s and 12,000m; they will have a little bit of fuel left in them, but they start losing performance quickly.
-Close the intakes to reduce drag after this (0). Don’t pitch up too much for the same reason. You will get plasma forming at this speed, but should be high enough that it won’t be a problem.
-There are no airbrakes. To make up for this, it WILL tumble on reentry, but the empty CG is just forward enough that you can recover by setting SAS to prograde and land safely, although with an upset stomach.
-I wanted to keep it stock, but I couldn’t get the performance I wanted. However, I tried to keep the tech level of parts low. This is basically an alternative to Rapiers.
-Optional: replace the cargo bay with a short Mk2 rocket fuel tank + Mk2 crew cabin.
-See the action groups.