How to Make the WarVulcan Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the WarVulcan is a capable dart paper airplane developed from the JetVulcan as an easy to make Vulcan variant. Unlike previous variants, measuring tools like a ruler are not required, as all measurements are relative and self contained.

Development of the WarVulcan was begun following the success of the JetVulcan, which proved itself quite impressive. To build on this, I decided to simplify the design (as I have been asked to do with the Vulcan family at large for many months). To do this, I decided to make all measurements relative; design features corresponding to one another made this possible. The design was essentially a straightforward modification of the JetVulcan with a longer nose and larger leading edge extensions (LERX) and fourth folds for simpler wing and winglet folding. The prototype was made quickly with these design aspects in mind and testing began soon after. The aircraft proved itself a capable and good performer. I decided that given the viewers' desire for simpler aircraft, the aircraft was certainly worthy of publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F292-22

Step 1: Materials

Required:

1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Optional:

Ruler (for additional surfaces only)

Pencil (for additional surfaces only)

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length, Fourth, Corner and Airfoil Folding

Take your paper and fold it along its length. After doing this, fold the edges of the paper into the center crease you have made. Once this has been completed, pull the corners in and fold their creases into the center. Unfold the paper, then fold the edges into the creases you have made with the previous folds. After doing this, fold the corners of the paper down on each side, as shown. After this, fold the creases of these folds down over top of themselves. Continue to fold the paper along existing creases until your paper matches the last photograph to create the airfoils.

Step 3: Canard and Nose Folding

Pull the overhanging paper back over the center crease. Repeat on the other side. Pull the tip of the nose back to the trailing edges of the wings and crease. After doing this, pull the diamond back until its tips meet the apexes of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown after pulling the overhanging portion back forward. Pull the nose back forward along the existing crease. After doing this, bend the corners of this fold inward as shown.

Step 4: Canard, Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Fold your paper airplane in half along its center. Fold the canards down as shown, aligning its leading edge with the fuselage to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Fold the wings down at the existing creases made previously. After this has been completed, fold each winglet into the creases. After the winglets are made, apply tape where designated. This will complete your WarVulcan.

Step 5: Flight

Shaped similar to many of the other variants of the Vulcan family, the WarVulcan performs very much the same. The WarVulcan should be launched at a neutral or positive attitude at a moderate to high speed. Test flights should be conducted to see what trim (if any) is required. Additional applicable surfaces include elevators, ailerons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!