How to Make the DeltaRay Paper Airplane

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Intro: How to Make the DeltaRay Paper Airplane

Fast, small and nimble, the DeltaRay is a small "drone fighter" paper airplane. It shares the same basic airframe design with the popular StarFang and Simple Starfighter for simplicity in construction.

Development of the DeltaRay was proceeded with to produce an aircraft with very low wing loading whilst still being a fast drone fighter. My solution to meet this requirement was to use a simple delta wing, which combines high lift with high speed capability. The airframe of the StarFang was retained to allow makers of that popular drone fighter to also make the new type, should it succeed in testing. The DeltaRay showed itself to be able in testing, so it was cleared for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: D384-1

STEP 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Stapler

STEP 2: Begin Construction

Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make two marks 8 boxes from one another and mark out the fuselage as shown. The counterweight should be made as a 2 by 3 rectangle with the vertical stabilizer two boxes behind it. Measure 1 box forward along the half box line and and make a mark; then make a solid horizontal line 5 boxes from it as shown. 2.5 boxes from either end of the solid horizontal line, make a vertical, perpendicular dotted line.

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 (1 boxes in length by 8 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every box toward the front of the fuselage). Make a dotted line parallel with the center fold line half a box in from the wingtip. Then cut the wing out.

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

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

STEP 3: Making the Fuselage

Cut out your fuselage and fold its counterweights into place. Cut off the extra vertical fin. Once this is done, fold along the vertical dotted line and cut along the solid horizontal line. Once the cut has been made, undo the fold and tape where designated.

STEP 4: Applying the Wings; Stapling

Cut out the wings, pull the wing through the slit in the fuselage, and then apply tape. Fold the winglets along the dotted lines. Flatten the wings and canards to where they have no anhedral deflection. Apply one staple in the area of the counterweight folds. This will complete your DeltaRay.

STEP 5: Flight

The DeltaRay is essentially a more glide-oriented version of the StarFang with its larger wings and lower wing loading. Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitudes at medium to high speed. Launches can be done at a positive attitude, but launch speed should be increased (range may be reduced). Test flights should be conducted to see if any trim is required. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!

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