How to Make the StratoTomahawk Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and small, the StratoTomahawk is an aerodynamic "drone cruiser" paper airplane made to complement its smaller but similar predecessor, the SkyTomahawk.

The StratoTomahawk was designed as a larger follow on to the SkyTomahawk since that design was found to perform well. The larger wing design was recycled from that of Super StratoCruiser, with my decision to rely on its simplicity and proven performance. Flight testing showed the new but conventional StratoTomahawk's prototype to perform well and it was approved for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: D391-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Stapler

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--12 full boxes apart (allow for a further box back behind the airframe). Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 12 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the stabilizers, spars and counterweight as shown. To avoid confusion, one line you will cut along has been omitted from the photograph.

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 box of constant chord at the root; a leading edge sweep of 1 box of chord decaying every 6 boxes outward from the constant chord box; and a trailing edge sweep of 1 box of decay along the 7 boxes of wingspan). This will complete the wings.

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 along the solid lines and cut off the extra vertical fin where shown. Once this is done, fold along the vertical dotted line then fold the airplane in half along the center crease once again. Fold along the dotted horizontal line then tape where indicated.

Step 4: Applying the Wings; Stapling

Cut out your StratoTomahawk's wings and lay them beneath the fuselage. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the fuselage. Apply tape to the LERX joint and one staple where noted. This will complete the aircraft.

Step 5: Flight

The StratoTomahawk is an aerodynamic and very stable paper airplane, able to be handled with ease. Launches should be done at moderate to high speeds at neutral attitude. Test flights should be conducted to check the aircraft. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons and trimmable rudders. Enjoy!