How to Make the Turbo StratoScout Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and aerodynamic, the Turbo StratoScout is a "drone cruiser" paper airplane with large, slightly swept wings to give it good speed and glide characteristics. The Turbo StratoScout is a slightly redesigned variant of the Super StratoScout, with its construction simplified and material requirements reduced.

To simplify construction of the popular Super StratoScout, I decided to make a new variant that eliminated the need for a stapler. Thus, the weight of the airplane's counterweight was increased and the Turbo StratoScout was conceived. The Turbo StratoScout, being otherwise identical to its basis, accepted this alteration and retained the excellent performance of the well liked Super StratoScout. Flight testing showed it able and it was greenlit for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: D424-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Scissors

Ruler

Tape

Pencil

Step 2: Begin Construction

First, begin by folding your your graph paper in half (excluding three boxes on the perforated side). Once the paper has been folded appropriately, make two marks--13 full boxes apart (allow for a further box back behind the airframe). Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 13 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the stabilizers, spars and counterweight as shown.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (2 boxes of chord at the root, by 6 boxes in width, with a leading edge sweep of 2 boxes of chord eliminated every 5 boxes away from the fuselage root (past the inboard most box) and a trailing edge sweep of 1 box of chord every 6 boxes from the root). Then cut the wing out.

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Step 3: Making the Fuselage

Cut out your fuselage and fold its counterweights into place. Cut along the solid lines and cut off the left fin at the bisected solid line as shown. Once this is done, fold along the vertical dotted line then fold the airplane in half along the center crease once again. Fold the spars down along the dotted horizontal lines then tape where indicated.

After the taping is done, cut the rear fuselage away below the diagonal line. Fold the horizontal stabilizers down then apply one staple in the area of the counterweight as noted in the photograph.

Step 4: Applying the Wings

Cut out your Turbo StratoScout's wings and lay them beneath the fuselage. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the fuselage. Apply tape to the LERX joint where noted. This will complete your Turbo StratoScout.

Step 5: Flight

The Turbo StratoScout flies cruises quickly while maintaining an excellent glide ratio; origami aviators with experience with preceding StratoScout or similar aircraft like the Super SkyScout and AeroScout should be able to make a relatively easy transition to the Turbo StratoScout. For people used to the Super StratoScout, the transition should be almost seamless, as the aircraft handle almost identically.

Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitudes at moderate to high speeds. Test flights should be conducted to see what trim (if any) is required. Additional applicable surfaces include ailerons, elevators, flaps and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!