How to Make the Strike Vulcan Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and easy to make, the Strike Vulcan paper airplane is a development of the MetaVulcan, optimized for simplicity. As a result, the aircraft does not require anything more than a simple piece of paper and tape.

The Strike Vulcan was developed to further simplify the MetaVulcan, which featured fourth folds in it wing design to eliminate the need for measurements of the wings and winglets. While the MetaVulcan did not require measurements for either of these features, it still required measurements for its nose folds. In response to continual requests for simple but highly capable aircraft, I decided I would eliminate this requirement as I had with the similar WarVulcan. This change eased construction requirements, as well as the complications with measurement system conversions. Flight testing proved the aircraft was capable and docile; publication was immediately approved.

TAA USAF Designation: F292-23

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Ruler (for additional surfaces only)

Pencil

Step 2: Length and Nose Folding

Fold your paper in half length-wise. Then pull the paper down so that the crease stretches from the fold at the front you just made and the corner of the paper on the other side. Repeat on the other side. Pull the edge of this layer back toward the crease on each side and then open these folds. Fold the edges into the creases as shown, the pull the creases of these corner folds into themselves as shown.

Step 3: Canard, Fourth and Nose Folding

Fold the previous folds along the existing creases as shown, then pull the overhanging paper back away from the center crease. Repeat on the other side. Pull the tip of the nose back until its tips meet the apex of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown.

Pull the tips of the paper along the trailing edges into the center fold and crease. After completing this, unfold and flip the paper and then pull the blunt edge of the nose down to trailing edge. Measure 1 inch from the crease, and pull the nose forward again and crease. Unfold the nose and fold the edges of the previous folds down as shown, then pull the nose back forward over these folds once again.

Step 4: Canard, Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Fold down the canards whilst keeping their leading edges aligned with the nose to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Following this, fold down the wings at the fourth folds you made previously. Align the trailing edges of the wings with that of the fuselage to keep the angle of incidence at zero degrees. After this is finished, fold the wingtips down to the fourth folds.

Apply tape to the nose above and below the canard, as well as to the dorsal LERX-wing joint. Then apply tape to the rear of the fuselage and over the wing root near the trailing edge. Once this has been done, apply tape to the ventral LERX joint and canard folds to secure them to the fuselage. This will complete your Strike Vulcan.

Step 5: Flight

The Strike Vulcan flies much like older Vulcan variants--particularly the HelioVulcan, CosmoVulcan and MetaVulcan; origami aviators should have little difficulty transitioning with previous experience with other Vulcans. Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitude at moderate to high speed. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, flaperons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!