How to Make the HyperAttacker Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the HyperAttacker is an aerodynamic dart paper airplane derived from the popular Attacker X by TriKdanG. Requiring only a sheet of paper, the HyperAttacker can easily serve as a replacement for the antiquated "classic dart" most children are familiar with. For greater speed, the HyperAttacker can also be optionally taped.

The HyperAttacker was developed from the Attacker X to supplant the similar Spartan paper airplane. Substantial modifications were made to the Attacker X to strengthen its wings, secure its nose and allow it to sit stable on the ground (preventing damage). For the sake of simplicity, the Attacker X's winglets were deleted. Flight testing showed the new HyperAttacker to be an able design and it was cleared for publication soon afterward.

TAA USAF Designation: F434-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:

1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Optional:

Tape (recommended for faster speed)

Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Ruler (additional surfaces only)

Pencil

Step 2: Length, Corner, Leading Edge and Airfoil Folding

Take your paper and fold it along its length. Then pull the corners in and fold them into the center on each side. after doing this, open the paper with the corners still folded down as shown in the fifth photograph. Pull the tip of the nose to the rear of the corner folds and crease.

Flip the paper over and pull the diagonal sections of the leading edges into the center crease on each side. Crease these into place and then unfold. Pull the outboard edges into the creases as shown. When you have done this, fold the paper back into position as shown in the twelfth photograph to complete the airfoil folds.

Step 3: Nose Folding

Flipping the paper over once again, focus your attention on the nose. Pull the triangle forward until you reach its limits, as shown in the second and third photographs.

After you have done this, pull the underlying layers of paper forward to sit over the leading edges and crease them as shown in the fourth photograph. After making the creases, allow the paper to return back to its original location. While the paper is like this, unfold the airfoil folds on the opposite side of the paper as shown in the sixth photograph. With this access, now tuck the previous folds you made by reversing their direction.

When the paper appears as it does in the eighth photograph, pull the nose backward along the existent fold line. With the triangle now sitting over the folded underlying portions, pull the tip forward again until it sits over top of the rears of those underlying layers and crease. Once this is done, reverse the fold for the triangle to secure itself under the lower layers as shown in the eleventh photograph.

Step 4: Wing and Nose Folding

After once again flipping the paper over to have the airfoil folds facing upward. With the paper positioned like this, fold it in half along the center crease so the airfoil folds are on the inside. With the paper folded up, pull the leading edges down to the center crease as shown in the third and fourth photographs.

After making the wing folds, unfold them. Pull the blunt forward edge of the nose up to the wing crease and make a fold. After establishing the crease, unfold. Unfold the paper as a whole along the center crease and reverse the folds, pulling the nose fold into the center of the paper.

When the nose fold is in the folded paper, pull the portions ahead of the rear fold backward as shown in the eleventh and twelfth photographs.

Step 5: Wing and Tail Folding

With the wings still unfolded, fold the rear fuselage upward as shown. (Through the paper the airfoil folds should be visible. You want to match the center crease to the rear of the airfoil folds.) Once this fold has been established, unfold it and unlock the nose.

Reverse the tail folds so both allow the rear fuselage to be pulled upward as shown in the fifth photograph. Once this is done, fold the wings up once again and restore the lock folds as shown in the sixth, seventh and eighth photographs. The aircraft can be flown once the wings are folded down as in the ninth photograph.

Step 6: Taping

This step is optional.

To take the optional step to tape the aircraft, tape the aircraft where designated in photographs. Apply small strips of tape at the nose, the rear of the airfoils and below the trailing edges of the tail to tape the aircraft up.

Nose-up trim might be necessary with the aircraft taped; conduct test flights to check on this.

Step 7: Flight

The HyperAttacker flies in a similar manner to other dart paper airplanes like the classic dart--where it is pointed and quick.

Launches should be done at moderate to high speed at a neutral or positive attitude. Additional applicable surfaces include elevators, ailerons, air brakes and a rudder. Enjoy!