Introduction: Paper Ground Effect Vehicle #1 (like a Hover-craft)
A ground effect vehicle is like a hovercraft, but instead of having a fan blowing air down, air is forced underneath by a slope, wings or other such system.
This is version 1 of the craft. At the time of writing there are 2 versions.
This vehicle can travel upwards of 5m on a smooth surface(like vinyl), and once moving can transition onto slightly rougher ones (like carpet).
This is version 1 of the craft. At the time of writing there are 2 versions.
This vehicle can travel upwards of 5m on a smooth surface(like vinyl), and once moving can transition onto slightly rougher ones (like carpet).
Step 1: Materials and Requirements
The materials are easy:
1) Paper, A4
2) Scissors
The requirements are a little harder:
1) Smooth floor (eg vinyl, cork etc) to "fly" it on
2) you!
1) Paper, A4
2) Scissors
The requirements are a little harder:
1) Smooth floor (eg vinyl, cork etc) to "fly" it on
2) you!
Step 2: Folding #1
Fold the paper in half, don't crease it too hard, as this is only a mark line. If you are pedantic you would measure and rule it.
Then unfold it, until it's flat again.
Then unfold it, until it's flat again.
Step 3: Folding #2
After you have unfolded it, then fold each side in until they meet at the center-line.
Crease these hard. I didn't here, so you can see what's going on, but it is better if you do.
Crease these hard. I didn't here, so you can see what's going on, but it is better if you do.
Step 4: Folding #3
Then cut the fins. Try to keep them equal size, but apart from that the size isn't too important, they are to keep it pointing the right way.
Unfold them so they are at ~30 degrees, as in the picture.
Unfold them so they are at ~30 degrees, as in the picture.
Step 5: Folding #4
This is the hardest step. Make two folds 0.5cm apart from each other, at the other end.You want the top flap to rest at ~45 degrees from flat, and the middle segment at ~30 degrees in the opposite direction. Again refer to the pictures, it makes it all clearer.
Step 6: Flying
Well done, you've finished. Simple hey!
To fly, put your fingers near the center, push down and give it a shove along a smooth floor.
You'll hear it scrape along for about a meter, and then the noise will vanish as it lifts 1 or 2 mm. It can travel like this for quite a distance. I have got it about 5m, but it will go further if it doesn't hit a wall (mine was indoors in a room 5m long).
Getting it flying is a little hard, and trimming may be necessary.
If the front flips up, then make the front upper flaps more vertical, or push is slower.
If it doesn't rise, then lower the angle of the front flaps or push it faster.
Once it is going it can go onto carpet (if there isn't too bigger bump), or over scissors. If it goes off a step though the front will flip up, nothing you can do about that, it isn't designed to fly, only hover.
To fly, put your fingers near the center, push down and give it a shove along a smooth floor.
You'll hear it scrape along for about a meter, and then the noise will vanish as it lifts 1 or 2 mm. It can travel like this for quite a distance. I have got it about 5m, but it will go further if it doesn't hit a wall (mine was indoors in a room 5m long).
Getting it flying is a little hard, and trimming may be necessary.
If the front flips up, then make the front upper flaps more vertical, or push is slower.
If it doesn't rise, then lower the angle of the front flaps or push it faster.
Once it is going it can go onto carpet (if there isn't too bigger bump), or over scissors. If it goes off a step though the front will flip up, nothing you can do about that, it isn't designed to fly, only hover.
Step 7: Take It Further
This is only one possible design.
This one works OK, but I'm sure it can be done better.
Here are another few things I tried:
The RC version is speedy, and can go over concrete at ~20kph (faster than I can sprint, vid)
The other paper one is for my next ible......
This one works OK, but I'm sure it can be done better.
Here are another few things I tried:
The RC version is speedy, and can go over concrete at ~20kph (faster than I can sprint, vid)
The other paper one is for my next ible......