How to Make the Bulldog Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the Bulldog is a capable dart paper airplane meant to compliment more complicated types.

The Bulldog was a derivative of another development effort for an "extremely simple" paper airplane capable of performance nearing that of more advanced types like the Ultraceptor family (this other effort is still ongoing). The Bulldog's design was shaped to allow it good performance similar to other types while not requiring many measurements or the usage of large amounts of tape. With its design, these requirements were eased considerably versus other designs. The aircraft proved itself as capable in flight testing and was approved for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F387-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length, Corner and Fourth Folding

Fold your paper in half along its length. Then pull the corners in and fold their creases into the center. Unfold the paper, then pull the tip of the paper to the rear of the corner folds as shown. Unfold the corner folds, then fold the outer edges of the paper into the crease that was made by the corner fold. After doing this, pull the tip of the nose to the rear of the corner folds as pictured.

Step 3: Fourth and Nose Folding

Pull the outer edges of the paper into the center crease as shown. Reverse the folds as shown to position the paper for the nose folds. Pull the nose fold crease back over the other nose fold crease as pictured. After doing this, fold the wing folds forward as shown, then tuck the tip of the paper under the nose folds as shown.

Step 4: Wing, Nose and Winglet Folding; Taping

Pull the outer fourth folds outward between their limits at the nose fold and trailing edges on each side. After doing this, mark the rear edge of the nose fold on the opposite side. Pull the nose back to where the outer fourths protrude; after doing this, pull the nose back forward until the mark made previously is the rear limit of the visible nose folds on the dorsal side. Flip the nose forward (briefly undoing the first nose fold) and fold the corners inward, then restore the nose folds.

Measure 2.625 inches from the tip of the wing along the leading edge and make a mark. Then measure 1 inch from the tip along the trailing edge. Connect these two marks on each side with creases by folding the wingtips down into winglets. Pull the inner wing sections down over top of the fuselage and crease when their edges meet that of the fuselage along the center crease.

Tape at the nose, across the wing roots near the trailing edge and at the rear of the fuselage as noted.

Step 5: Flight

The Bulldog flies very much like other darts, the aircraft tends to fly wherever pointed. Launches should be conducted at medium to high speed at neutral or positive attitude. Additional applicable surfaces include elevators, ailerons, flaps, rudders and air brakes. Enjoy!