How to Make the ThunderDelta Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and stealthy, the ThunderDelta is a flying wing paper airplane designed to be a more conventional complement to the similar Turbo AeroDelta and to succeed older types like the UltraDelta.

The ThunderDelta was developed in parallel with the Turbo AeroDelta (which it preceded in development). Each had been constructed to serve as a new "fast flying wing" aircraft, with the aim of it being a suitable trainer for larger upcoming flying wings also taken into account. As with the Turbo AeroDelta, the ThunderDelta's layout was inspired by basic folds the Osprey Precise paper airplane by Hangar 13, although their similarities between the two upon competition are very limited. The aircraft proved easy to make and flight testing showed it to be capable, so it was soon approved for publication (though the Turbo AeroDelta was published ahead of it by audience request).

TAA USAF Designation: F393-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Step 2: Length, Width and Airfoil Folding

Fold your paper in half first along its length and unfold as shown. After doing this, fold along its width and then unfold. After doing this, select one width edge and fold it into the center width crease as shown and crease.

When you have reoriented the paper so the section with the two fourths laying over atop of one another are above the rest of the paper, pull the corners of the overlaying section into the center crease as shown. After doing this, measure 1 inch inward from the trailing edge along the center crease and make a mark. After doing so, pull the tip of the nose to this point and crease the folds at the leading edge. To finish the step, again fold the corners into the the center and crease as pictured.

Step 3: Nose and Airfoil Folding; Stabilizers and Taping

Unfold the corner folds you created in the previous step then pull the corner of the paper diamond forward as shown. After doing this, pull the edges of the corner folds into their creases and restore the corner folds.

Along the trailing edge, mark 1 inch from the center crease on each side. From each of the resultant marks, measure 1 inch directly inward, perpendicular to the trailing edge. Measure 0.75 inches inward along the center crease. Connect all the marks as shown, then fold the plane in half to cut where designated.

Apply tape where noted to complete the aircraft.

Step 4: Flight

Like most flying wings, the ThunderDelta has a launch technique similar to the Omniwing and AeroDelta families.

The ThunderDelta should not be thrown; it should be held with 4 fingers over the wing (between the two vertical stabilizers) and the thumb under the aircraft. With the launcher's hand positioned like this, the aircraft should be advanced forward in the air and let go at a moderate to high speed at a neutral or (slightly) positive attitude. Additional surfaces include ailerons, elevators, elevons, spoilers, and trimmable rudders. Enjoy!