Introduction: How to Make the Strike Harrier Paper Airplane
The simplicity and sturdiness inherent in this design enable easy construction, modification and operation indoors, such as by students in classrooms. Educators could easily use this versatile paper airplane to demonstrate:
- Glide ratio
- Hangtime versus other aircraft
- Weight and balance
- Flight dynamics
Step 1: Materials
Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Ruler
Scissors
Pencil
Step 2: Length and Corner Folding
Begin by folding one piece of paper in half length-wise. Then pull the corners into the center. Once the creases have been established, unfold each. Then fold the paper folds into themselves as shown. Then fold again. Once this is finished, unfold the paper.
Step 3: Nose and Corner Folding
Pull the tip of the nose back to where the swept leading edge of the wing ends. Flip back to the "dirty" side, and pull the corners down to the center as shown. Once the creases have been established, unfold each. Then fold the paper folds into themselves as shown. Then fold again. Then flip to the "clean" side, and pull what will be the nose open as shown. Then fold the airframe up in two along the center fold.
Step 4: Wing and Winglet Folding
Fold the paper down with the trailing edges of the wings meeting with that of the fuselage. The leading edges of the wing should fit flush with parts of the nose fold at the front of the fuselage too, but if they do not, maintain the accuracy of the trailing edges. Measure 2.25 inches in from the trailing edge along the wingtip and make a mark. From there, measure 5/8 of an inch parallel with the trailing edge. Then cut along this line. Proceed to fold the wingtips up, parallel to the fuselage--with the front two folded up, above the wing and the rear two folded down, under the wing.
Step 5: Taping
Tape your Strike Harrier at its front, across its front, rear and over its wing root--near the back. Then tape the folds below the leading edges together.
Step 6: Flight
The Strike Harrier is a very simple aircraft to fly. At launch give it a throw at a moderate pace, at a neutral or negative attitude. In flight, roll and directional stability should be no problems whatsoever. On the ground, the ventral winglets function as outrigger skids. The wing can be adjusted to have anhedral or no anhedral. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, alierons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, a bomb bay and an electronic warfare tail. Enjoy!

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