Wow, this is quite an improvement over the last one. Informal test results:
First run: 193 - 186, 7 feet
Second run: 206 - 258, 52 feet
Third run: 200 - 200, 0 feet
Fourth run: 198 - 195, 2 feet
Outstanding. I believe you have secured the first place in this competition, unless on the final, formal test, this plane somehow doesn't do as well and someone else's plane does.
I think the variation comes from the fact that the autopilot doesn't fly exactly level, but is always performing slight adjustments, so that when the autopilot is disengaged, the angle of attack of the plane is slightly different each time.
@mikoyanster No problem at all, you're welcome. I'd hoped to see more positive attitudes like yours in my challenge, but very few people have entered. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
@KSPFSXandSP Yeah, none of those are really my style. But I like the Spitfire and the Me-262. I even made a couple of aircraft inspired by the Schwalbe.
@JoeCFX Here's what I would do: leave the current cockpit where it is so the mass distribution doesn't change, then add a second zero-mass cockpit, make it the primary cockpit, scale it down and hide it inside the nose spike.
Very impressive, in both looks and performance. The only problems with this build are that it has no crosshair, and the controls are too sensitive for keyboard input. To fix the first one, just add a zero-mass minigun somewhere. Guns have no drag, so don't worry about that.
To fix the sensitivity problem, set the hingeDistance on all wings that have control surfaces to 0.05. This will not affect other flight characteristics at all.
I did some informal testing, and here are the results:
Start: 194, end: 821, delta h = 627 feet
Start: 135, end: 407, delta h = 272 feet
Start: 296, end: 338, delta h = 35 feet
Based on the third run, this will be the new top contender if you can fix the handling sensitivity and add a crosshair. Very well done.
@JoeCFX Sure, I can take a look. Remember that any and all XML modding is permitted, so you can set the cockpit mass to zero so that it doesn't affect mass distribution.
The best way to have a totally unobstructed view is to stick the cockpit inside the very first nose cone block on your build. If it doesn't fit, you can simply scale it down until it does.
@Jetpackturtle Well, this is based off someone else's design (Google image search for Cutangus) and its circular wing is too small to be practical, but there is such a thing as annular wings.
@F4f879 You don't really need autopilot to build a level-flying plane -- the autopilot is just to have a standard way to level out each entry, to eliminate human error.
To simulate test conditions, you can take off from Wright, turn around and fly some distance, then turn around again to give yourself plenty of distance to the destroyer. Then you can manually level out your plane, and then release the controls as you pass the destroyer.
@ThatWeirdGuy Thanks, I spent quite some time perfecting my flight module. Most of my planes, especially the recent ones, fly more or less the same because of it.
Re: your Typhoon, I like the fairing behind the canopy on the new one, but I preferred the more downward-pointing nose of the old one. Downward-pointing noses look more badass, to use a technical term.
That's good news that the Concorde may be coming back, I'd certainly like to fly in one someday.
@Treadmill103 With me it was a case of "hmm, now I can make a torus, what can I use this for?" That Cutangus design has a way of sticking in your mind.
Wow, this is quite an improvement over the last one. Informal test results:
First run: 193 - 186, 7 feet
Second run: 206 - 258, 52 feet
Third run: 200 - 200, 0 feet
Fourth run: 198 - 195, 2 feet
Outstanding. I believe you have secured the first place in this competition, unless on the final, formal test, this plane somehow doesn't do as well and someone else's plane does.
I think the variation comes from the fact that the autopilot doesn't fly exactly level, but is always performing slight adjustments, so that when the autopilot is disengaged, the angle of attack of the plane is slightly different each time.
Nicely done.
@Griffinthedragon You're welcome.
@mikoyanster I know, but I can say thanks anyway :)
@chancey21 Here you go.
@chancey21 OK, and any other specs? massScale, health, buoyancy?
Thanks for the spotlights, @mikoyanster
@chancey21 Anyway, here you go.
@chancey21 Weren't there two shapes you wanted?
@chancey21 OK, give me the specs again, and I'll generate them again.
@chancey21 Well, I thought you'd downloaded them. Why would you wait to download them?
+1@mikoyanster No problem at all, you're welcome. I'd hoped to see more positive attitudes like yours in my challenge, but very few people have entered. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
@KSPFSXandSP Yeah, none of those are really my style. But I like the Spitfire and the Me-262. I even made a couple of aircraft inspired by the Schwalbe.
@TomShift How's this for a start? Ignore the lack of detail for now.
@TomShift OK, let me see what I can come up with.
@TomShift This one? It's a bit too small to see much. Do you have a larger image?
Glad you like it, @ACMECo1940
@ColonelStriker Thanks, I thought they might come in useful for people. Lots more to come (depending on the response to this kit).
@TomShift You mean this? Yeah, I can make something like that.
@JoeCFX Take your time.
@FlyingThings It ought to be, it's computer-generated :) If you need one (or more) for your builds, let me know the specs.
@Irobert55 Yes, there are lots more to come :)
@Griffinthedragon Set damage to 10,000.
Thanks, @Davisplanez @Mijmaj @DemonSniper8
@Davisplanez Its second version has much longer range. It can hit Snowstone, Maywar, and the Kraken from the Wright Airport spawn location.
@JoeCFX Here's what I would do: leave the current cockpit where it is so the mass distribution doesn't change, then add a second zero-mass cockpit, make it the primary cockpit, scale it down and hide it inside the nose spike.
Forgot to mention: I especially like how yaw works perfectly, i.e., without inducing any roll whatsoever.
Very impressive, in both looks and performance. The only problems with this build are that it has no crosshair, and the controls are too sensitive for keyboard input. To fix the first one, just add a zero-mass minigun somewhere. Guns have no drag, so don't worry about that.
To fix the sensitivity problem, set the hingeDistance on all wings that have control surfaces to 0.05. This will not affect other flight characteristics at all.
I did some informal testing, and here are the results:
Based on the third run, this will be the new top contender if you can fix the handling sensitivity and add a crosshair. Very well done.
@JoeCFX Sure, I can take a look. Remember that any and all XML modding is permitted, so you can set the cockpit mass to zero so that it doesn't affect mass distribution.
The best way to have a totally unobstructed view is to stick the cockpit inside the very first nose cone block on your build. If it doesn't fit, you can simply scale it down until it does.
@Jetpackturtle Well, this is based off someone else's design (Google image search for Cutangus) and its circular wing is too small to be practical, but there is such a thing as annular wings.
@F4f879 Ha, no. I have a Latin-English dictionary that I scan for cool-sounding words, and then there's always Google Translate.
@F4f879 Caesar? Sounds like you're getting a good education. Keep at it.
@F4f879 Oh, that way. Yeah, but I chose the name because it's the name of a constellation.
@F4f879 Try reducing the size of the control surfaces so maneuvers are smoother.
Once the challenge ends, I'll post a tutorial showing how to build something that flies level. It only takes a few minutes :)
@F4f879 I'm guessing that's a sci-fi movie/comic reference?
@F4f879 You don't really need autopilot to build a level-flying plane -- the autopilot is just to have a standard way to level out each entry, to eliminate human error.
To simulate test conditions, you can take off from Wright, turn around and fly some distance, then turn around again to give yourself plenty of distance to the destroyer. Then you can manually level out your plane, and then release the controls as you pass the destroyer.
@ThatWeirdGuy Thanks, I spent quite some time perfecting my flight module. Most of my planes, especially the recent ones, fly more or less the same because of it.
Re: your Typhoon, I like the fairing behind the canopy on the new one, but I preferred the more downward-pointing nose of the old one. Downward-pointing noses look more badass, to use a technical term.
That's good news that the Concorde may be coming back, I'd certainly like to fly in one someday.
@WIZARD2017 I suppose it does...
Thanks, @WalrusManufacturingCo2
Thanks, @WIZARD2017
@KillerDread Here you go. Under 300 parts.
@ThatWeirdGuy Yeah, I had a few books about space when I was a kid. Those images are burned in my mind...
@Strikefighter04 You should try more of my builds, these guns have been around for a while. Since this build, in fact.
@EternalDarkness It's ok, I'm just having a little fun. :)
@EternalDarkness But it's not a real airplane... :)
@Strikefighter04 What about them?
@Treadmill103 With me it was a case of "hmm, now I can make a torus, what can I use this for?" That Cutangus design has a way of sticking in your mind.
@ThatWeirdGuy That makes sense, the spinning torus is one of the most common space station designs.
@SeanTurbineModifier Good to know. Why not just reformat your laptop and reinstall everything?
@SeanTurbineModifier You mean it's not? I have no way of knowing.
@Jetpackturtle Yeah, it's pretty amazing.