More dinking around in KSP (Image heavy)

[Logan Darklighter]

BTW - the old 1999 Eagle still works (with a few tweaks). But it's no longer being updated. If anyone wants one, I can email you the files for it. 
But going forward, there's a new Space 1999 Eagle being developed by one of the KSP modders. And although I do think it needs some slight tweaks to it's proportions to nail the look down, it's a real BRUTE of a ship. And - unlike the Redspar Eagle, the Wayland Eagle is actually modular and can carry different modules underneath the truss! 

Though the modder has not completed work on the modular pods, the Eagle itself flies just fine. And I've helped out a bit by test flying it and figuring out techniques for flight, VTOL and pick-up and docking using "dummy" modules. 



It's EXTREMELY tricky to hover and land straddling a pod like in the show. So what I've found is the best way to do it is to land NEXT to it. Then ramp up the VTOL thrusters to just barely under lift power. Enough to negate almost all the weight/mass of the Eagle without actually lifting off. Then I use the RCS thrusters to push/slide the Eagle into position. 







Oh - did I mention that - unlike the Redspar Eagle, this one has the retractable gear as well? You can lower the Eagle down to dock with the pod. The authentic Eagle pods will also have extending landing gear of their own that could raise the pod up for docking. As well as extra thrusters to compensate for the weight. 















I foresee a lot of uses for this mod. 

Oh - and it even comes with it's own authentic Moonbase Alpha landing pad! ^_^  (now just gotta figure out how to get THAT up to the Mun!)