Introduction: How to Make the StarFang Paper Airplane

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Fast, long range and simple, the StarFang is a tiny drone fighter paper airplane meant as a complement to its namesake, the Fang, and an alternative to the comparable Simple Starfighter.

The StarFang was developed in response to the popularity of the Fang, as well as to address the lack of simple drone fighters in recent times (minus the Simple Starfighter, which was developed for the same reason). The usage of the Simple Starfighter's airframe and the Fang's wing made the prototype very conventional and predictable. Testing went well and the aircraft proved itself capable; I decided that with its performance and simplicity it was certainly worthy of publication.

TAA USAF Designation: D381-1

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 6 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 3 boxes of span eliminated every 4 boxes of chord toward the front of the fuselage). 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; Taping and 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 StarFang.

Step 5: Flight

The StarFang is very straightforward in its handling and is easily flown. 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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