How to Make the Super Manx Paper Airplane

Redesigned to better fit the needs of aviators flying the Manx, the Super Manx is an augmentation of the original with minor changes. In order to make things even easier, I designed this airplane to be compatible with the Manx. A Manx can be converted into a Super Manx with a few changes to the existing airframe. For conversions, you will only need to prepare your existing airframe for horizontal stabilizers. Go to steps 2, 3 and 5.

The Super Manx was the response I came up with to help other aviators with the new, relatively radical semi-tailless design of the Manx. To help with the transition, I added small but effective horizontal stabilizers which add very little weight and change very little unless trimmed.

Like its basis, the Super Manx is very versatile, and is suitable for use as a drone fighter-interceptor, stunt/demonstrator airplane, and research testbed for educators.

Some usages for educators could include students' studies into:

Glide ratio
Hangtime versus other aircraft
Weight and balance
Area measurements

TAA USAF Designation: D186-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper
Tape
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler
Optional:
1 Prebuilt Manx (conversions only)

Step 2: Begin Construction

First, begin by folding your your graph paper in half (excluding three boxes on the perforated side). Once the paper has been folded appropriately, make two marks--13 full boxes apart. Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 13 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the rudder and counterweight as shown. Follow the photograph markings. Then, two boxes back from the rear of the counterweight, mark a line that stretches 3 boxes further back. 1.5 boxes back from the beginning of this line, make a dotted line vertically. 1 box in from the back, measure 2 boxes forward and make a solid line 2 boxes long. Once all is marked out, cut out the fuselage.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (2 boxes in length by 4 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every 4 boxes away from the fuselage). Half of a box in from the wingtip, make a dotted line parallel to the wingtip. Measure 2 boxes along the crease, measure two boxes upwards from one side and the one box forward. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this line the other edge of the line along the crease. Then cut it out.

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Step 3: Making the Fuselage

After having cut out all of the fuselage. Begin folding it along the dotted lines. Then tape your fuselage together at the front, back, and across the fuselage at the fin. After you've folded all the lines correctly, you should now cut along the line in the middle of the fuselage. Do this by folding the fuselage to the right, making a cut, and repeating the fold to the left. Then fold as indicated the second line near the rear of the airplane by folding the 2 rearmost boxes forward and cut along the line.

Step 4: Applying the Wing and Making the Winglets

Now it is time to work with your Super Manx's wing. Separate the fuselage around the cut you made. Then put the wing through the fuselage and pull half of it through. Then fold the two halves up on each side of the fuselage. Once this is done, fold the winglets down along those half box marks you made on the wingtips.Then apply a small piece of tape to the underside of the wings while they are folded up flush with the fuselage.

Step 5: Applying the Horizontal Stabilizers

Like the wings, cut out your horizontal stabilizers and string them through the cut you made earlier. Then fold them up and apply tape as shown. This will complete your Super Manx.

Step 6: Flight

The Super Manx flies very similarly to the original Manx. For fast, long range flights, give your Super Manx a moderately fast toss. If your Super Manx requires adjustments, you may need to change the angle of incidence of the wings and/or the horizontal stabilizers, their dihedral/anhedral angling, winglets, rudder and fuselage. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, elevons, flaperons, air brakes and a rudder. Enjoy!