AV-R8 Winglet

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AV-R8 Winglet
Part image
Winglet by
Kerlington Model Rockets and Paper Products Inc
Cost (total) 640.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.10 t
Drag 0.02
Max. Temp. 2400 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 12 m/s
Research Tech tree advanced flight control.png Flight Control
Unlock cost 1 800 Funds
Since version 0.7.3
Part configuration wingletAV-R8.cfg
Lift generated 0.5
Drag coefficient 0.5
Deflection range 15°
Surface area 0.95

The AV-R8 Winglet is a control surface — a part that generates lift and deflects to alter a craft's center of lift to aid control of aerodynamic flight within an atmosphere. It also functions as a small wing in that it generates significantly more lift than an elevon.

Usage

In contrast to other control surfaces made to attach to wings, active winglets like the AV-R8 and Delta-Deluxe Winglet are best suited to roles as tailfins or canards on planes or stability fins on rockets. They can also be main wings for small aircraft and probes.

Note that placing too many winglets may end up producing too much drag, particularly on rockets, adding stress and actually making craft more difficult to control.

History

As the earliest active control surface in KSP (as of version 0.10), it was used as an enhanced stability fin in rocket designs versus the arguably undependable AV-T1 Winglet. However, both found use in small plane design. Between 0.12 and 0.13.3, the AV-R8 Winglet was commonly used as a landing leg, though has largely been replaced by dedicated landing legs. They also found use as radiators or heat sinks to prevent overheating, particularly on solid-rocket boosters (SRBs) prior to tweakables.

Product description

The R8 Active Control Winglet series marked the debut of Kerlington Model Rockets in the Spacecraft engineering world. These winglets are equipped with movable pivots, which allow them to swivel and act as control surfaces. This feature was considered a huge advancement in control technology and most agree that it made Kerlington staff and R8 fans simply unbearable to be around.

Changes

0.15
  • (undocumented) Moved from the Structural and Aerodynamic category to Command and Control.
0.10
  • The R8 Winglet now responds to input, and can be used as an elevator, canard, aileron, rudder, or any combination
0.7.3
  • Initial Release