How to Make the Simple Warhawk Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and versatile, the Simple Warhawk is an excellent paper airplane and is--as its name implies--one of my simplest aircraft. Due to its elementary design and good performance, the Simple Warhawk is a very good choice for all origami aviators.

The Simple Warhawk's concept came from the Warhawk immediately after the latter's publication. While the original Warhawk was a good, small aircraft, it was more difficult to make than I had wanted due to its requirement that it be made out of nonstandard, square sheets of paper. To address this, I sought a new design with a similar configuration and further simplicity in construction. By January 2014, I had developed a prototype of the Simple Warhawk, and began testing of it. Testing showed the aircraft to be very able, and I soon earmarked it as ready for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F310-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Optional:
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Width, Fourth and Airfoil Folding

Fold your paper in half along its width. Once you've done this, fold the edges of the paper back in to the crease. Make sure all three creases fold the same direction, then flip the paper over and pull the corners into the center. Pull the tip of your paper to the fourth fold on the other side of the center crease, with the center crease as one end point of this new fold. Then repeat on the other side. Once you have done this, pull the overhanging portions of each side back over itself on its own side and crease. After you have completed this, bend overhanging portions of the trailing edges of the airfoil forward as shown.

Step 3: Wing, Nose and Winglet Folding; Taping

With the airfoils facing down, bend the outer panels of the wings upward as shown. With these outer fourths folded up, flip the paper over and pull the rear edges of the overhanging folds forward and inward to the center crease as pictured. After doing this, pull the nose down flush over the top edges of the previous folds. Insert the folds of the overhanging portions into the nose fold for security, then fold the airframe in half along its center fold.

Fold the wings down by aligning the fourth folds with the center crease. After this is done, bend the wingtips inward to the fourth folds. After this is done, tape where directed.

Step 4: Flight

The Simple Warhawk is an easy to make and fly airplane to trim and fly. At launch, a slow speed launch at a neutral or negative attitude will result in a slow, calm flight; a moderate speed launch at a neutral or negative attitude will result in a moderately fast cruise; and a high speed launch at a negative, neutral or positive (usually no more than 25-30 degrees) attitude will result in a fast level flight or a quick climb. Trim may be required, including adjustments to the airfoil pockets in the nose and under the wings. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, elevators, ailerons, rudders, air brakes and an electronic warfare tail.