How to Make the Turbo Spectre Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the Turbo Spectre is a durable paper airplane designed to replace the popular but obsolescent Strike Spectre.

When the Strike Spectre was designed, skids and landing gear were not standard on my aircraft. In the time since its publication, these features have become among my largest requirements for almost all of my paper airplanes. As a result, for some time I classed the Strike Spectre as an outdated design, in need of a successor. More recently in the summer months of 2012, the Strike Spectre--an 18 month old design by this point--garnered a surge in popularity. In addition, I also wished for a simpler design to follow the fairly intricate Sparrowhawk. After some consideration, I designed and prototyped the YA2-13, with excellent results. The prototype flew wonderfully, and it was assigned its instructable slot.

TAA USAF Designation: A2-13

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Ruler
Scissors
Pencil

Step 2: Length and Corner Folding

Fold your paper in half along its length. Then pull the corners into the center.

Step 3: Nose and Security Folding

Fold the nose down to the trailing edge. Then pull both corners into the center. Once both corners have been pulled to the center crease, unfold them, then fold them into themselves as shown. Pull the triangle up to secure them. Then fold the airplane in half along the center crease.

Step 4: Making the Elevators and Folding the Wings

Begin making your elevators by measuring 0.75 inches above the center crease and making a mark. This will be where the wing root is. From this mark, measure an inch inch further upwards along the trailing edge and make a mark. Then measure another 0.75 inches from this mark. From these last two marks measure towards the front of the wing 0.375 inches and make lines of this length. Once these lines are made, cut along them. Once these cuts have been made, fold the wings down at the first mark as shown, parallel with the trailing edge of the fuselage.

Step 5: Making the Winglets; Taping

Measure 0.75 inches inwards from each wingtip and make a mark at each of these points. Then fold at these points to make the winglets. Once the winglets are made, tape where designated. Fold the elevators up to ~45 degrees of deflection. This will complete your Turbo Spectre.

Step 6: Flight

The Turbo Spectre is an easy airplane to fly. A launch at moderate speed with 45 degrees of elevator deflection will result in the best performance with these elevator settings. At higher speeds reduce deflection, and at lower speeds raise deflection. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, ailerons, rudders and air brakes. Enjoy!