Introduction: How to Make the StratoStinger Paper Airplane
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About: Paper airplane maker: 400+ designs so far and more in development!
Fast, long range and small, the StratoStinger is a small, delta wing "drone-fighter" paper airplane designed to complement the larger Serpent. The StratoStinger is a spiritual successor to the similar Stinger paper airplane.
The StratoStinger was conceptualized as small, simple drone fighter with commonality with other types like the StratoGnat and StratoCardinal to ease the construction complexities. When the aircraft was prototyped, its only differences from the others were the wing and spars. In flight testing, the StratoStinger's handling was found to be good, and it was allotted an instructable for publication.
TAA USAF Designation: D324-1
The StratoStinger was conceptualized as small, simple drone fighter with commonality with other types like the StratoGnat and StratoCardinal to ease the construction complexities. When the aircraft was prototyped, its only differences from the others were the wing and spars. In flight testing, the StratoStinger's handling was found to be good, and it was allotted an instructable for publication.
TAA USAF Designation: D324-1
Step 1: Materials
Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper (4 boxes per inch)
Tape
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Stapler
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper (4 boxes per inch)
Tape
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Stapler
Step 2: Begin Construction
Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make a mark, then measure 6 boxes back and make another mark. From this second mark, measure half a box up, three boxes behind. From this third mark, measure and mark 3 boxes upwards over 1 box backwards. One box in front of and below the last mark; then make a line stretching two boxes forward from this fifth mark. Beyond this, the pictures explain the other marks needed with less confusion. 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 (1 boxes in length by 3 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every box toward the front of the fuselage). Then cut the wing out. Measure 2 boxes along the crease, measure two boxes upwards from one mark and make another point. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this new mark to the one further away. From the mark you just made, measure one box further away from the one now connected to the line and make a mark. Sketch a line between this mark and the other mark along the crease. Then cut the horizontal stabilizers out.
Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.
Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches
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 3 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every box toward the front of the fuselage). Then cut the wing out. Measure 2 boxes along the crease, measure two boxes upwards from one mark and make another point. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this new mark to the one further away. From the mark you just made, measure one box further away from the one now connected to the line and make a mark. Sketch a line between this mark and the other mark along the crease. Then cut the horizontal stabilizers out.
Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.
Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches
Step 3: Making the Fuselage
Begin constructing your fuselage by folding the counterweights into the fuselage. Once they have been folded, unfold the fuselage and cut off the right vertical stabilizer. Once this is done, restore the fold. After doing this, fold the vertical stabilizer forward along the dotted line that indicates the center of what will be the slot for the horizontal stabilizers, then cut. After this cut has been made, cut away the bottom of the fuselage beneath the diagonal line near the rear of the fuselage. Following this cut, cut along the vertical line of the ventral fins. Apply tape where designated and fold the ventral fins as shown.
Step 4: Applying the Wings and Horizontal Stabilizers; Stapling
Cut out your StratoStinger's wings and lay them beneath the fuselage. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the fuselage. After securing the wings, cut out the horizontal stabilizers. Thread them through their slit and then secure them with tape as designated. Apply one staple to the counterweight area of the StratoStinger to complete it.
Step 5: Flight
The StratoStinger is quite straightforward and easy to fly; anyone with experience with the StratoGnat and StratoCardinal should have very little difficulty in handling the aircraft. Launches should be at high speed at neutral or positive attitudes. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, elevators and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!
