Originally designed as just a contemporary successor to the Orion and Super Orion paper airplanes, the Manx is a fast, semi-tailless miniature paper airplane. In addition, this little airplane is only 3.25 inches long and 1.75 inches wide, making it one of my smallest airplanes to date!

The Super Orion, which was designed to succeed the original Orion became more popular than the latter. As a result of its popularity, I began to consider designs for the "Orion II" (as it was codenamed at the time) to succeed the Super Orion. In the design stages, the airplane began to take a shape very similar to the original Orion, albeit with a modernized swept tailplane. In constructing the first prototype, I tried to fly the aircraft without its horizontal stabilizers fitted, and to my surprise, it flew marvelously. As a result, I redesigned the aircraft slightly to be semi-tailless. This reduced the weight of the airframe, and thereby its wing loading.

Just like the Orion and Super Orion, the Manx is very versatile, and is suitable for use as a fighter-interceptor, research testbed, and stunt/demonstrator airplane.

Some usages for educators could include studies of:

Glide ratio
Hangtime versus other aircraft
Weight and balance

TAA USAF Designation: D186-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper
Tape
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler

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. 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. 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. 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 tape your fuselage together at the front, back, and across the fuselage at the fin. Then open the cut in the fuselage.

Step 4: Applying the Wing and Making the Winglets

Now it is time to work with your 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.

Unfold your wings and winglets and you have completed your Manx!

Step 5: Flight

Being lightweight and aerodynamically clean, the Manx is a quick, small paper airplane. For fast, long range flights, give your Manx a moderately fast toss. If your Manx requires adjustments, you may need to change the angle of incidence of the wings, their dihedral/anhedral angling, winglets, rudder and fuselage. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, elevons, flaperons, air brakes and a rudder. You can also convert your Manx to the "Super Manx" standard at any time. Enjoy!