Black Dart update

[Balladeer]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Arrowstar]

Any news on this fantastic looking add-on?

 

[tgep]

Wow, this ones been a while in the making but it certainly seams worth it. A new X-Plane ( of sorts ) to fly out of dremland

 

[Urwumpe]

Not much new yet, except the rendering competition of my university, I so far only work on fixing the SSU SRB Bug.

 

[Arrowstar]

I realize that I posted a bit back with this same question, but I was simply curious to know if there had been any additional progress on this superb looking add-on. I of course understand the time limitations imposed by coursework, simply curious.

 

[Donamy]

Fell by the wayside, I don't know if it will be released or not.

 

[Urwumpe]

Fell by the wayside, I don't know if it will be released or not.

From my side: Will be released.

Only real showstopper is the VC mesh,with the invisible MFDs. I would need to do a tiny reading of the code if I have the control loops for the TVC finished, I remember doing some fun test flights with them.

 

[Donamy]

Ah !! Cool

 

[Urwumpe]

Ah !! Cool

It would be nice adding some rotary switches to the VC, for controlling the TVC, but I can't tell you from my mind, which modes I had tested... was a while since I shelved the project.

 

[Arrowstar]

Well, I certainly hope to see a release. It looks like a sporty little ride if I do say so myself.

 

[Donamy]

Does this refresh your memory ? There are 4 rotary switches in front of the thrust lever, lower left in pic 2.

 

[tgep]

Hmmmmmmmm, I'm picturing this on a Titan-II Launch stack lifting off from LC-41 in the early morning hours for a specops mission .........

 

[Urwumpe]

Does this refresh your memory ? There are 4 rotary switches in front of the thrust lever, lower left in pic 2.

Hmm...did I Have them already in my version of the VC? I remember the "landing gear" switches, but not the rotaries in front of the TC.

The labels would eventually be something along "PROFILE A, PROFILE B, DIRECT, NEUTRAL", but I am not sure if these four options are really optimal... I tested a lot strange things, with the Profile A/B being essentially moving the experiment code into scenario file options.

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 AM ----------

Hmmmmmmmm, I'm picturing this on a Titan-II Launch stack lifting off from LC-41 in the early morning hours for a specops mission .........

Well, the current version of it has a Delta-Glider like specific impulse, no need for a launch vehicle... downgrading the engine specs to chemical specific impulses would result in the VTOL capability being practically useless.

 

[the.punk]

Yes. I also hope it will be released.
Because it looks cool so far.

 

[Usquanigo]

Well, the current version of it has a Delta-Glider like specific impulse, no need for a launch vehicle... downgrading the engine specs to chemical specific impulses would result in the VTOL capability being practically useless.

Isn't that like rotary phones on the Enterprise? Meaning, if you have the tech for magic powered engines, why would the rest of it reflect late 60's era tech and design?

I think the idea of a winged launcher or a launch stack would finish it off nicely, give it a sense of proper "wholeness".

 

[Urwumpe]

Isn't that like rotary phones on the Enterprise? Meaning, if you have the tech for magic powered engines, why would the rest of it reflect late 60's era tech and design?

I think the idea of a winged launcher or a launch stack would finish it off nicely, give it a sense of proper "wholeness".

Currently, you have two sets of external drop tanks, which you could also combine. Also, the rocket engine has a high-ISP mode, which reduces thrust and chamber pressure a lot, but is more effective when you don't need high thrust levels. Switching to low thrust mode as soon as the atmosphere pressure is low enough during ascent saves a good amount of fuel - and turns the Black Dart into a hypersonic wave rider, which is a pretty nice sight, that has even a practical use.

What is rather thought about as "wholeness", is adding larger motherships for transporting Black Darts to Mars and Beyond, or having "opponents" on Earth.

 

[tgep]

Didn't know about the drop tanks ......... thanks for the info. Now I'm really drooling over this bird !

" .... in the quiet desert night, a hangar door slides open and a sleek black shape is tractored out to the runway.... "

 

[Donamy]

You've seen my movie !!

 

[tgep]

Excuse me while I mop the drool off my keyboard .......

 

[lyianm]

then this add on promising what is this gives?