How to Make the Simple SkyMosquito Paper Airplane

Fast, tiny and nimble, the Simple SkyMosquito is an agile drone-fighter paper airplane developed from its namesake, the older and more complex SkyMosquito. The Simple SkyMosquito is meant to complement similar types like the Simple Lancer and StarJavelin.

Development was begun in late September 2014 to offer origami aviators an alternative to other types such as the aforementioned Simple Lancer and StarJavelin, as well as the larger UltraSerpent and Super SkyLocust drone-fighters. Prototyping was simple as the aircraft traded its twin vertical stabilizers for the simpler fin design first developed for the StratoGnat. Flight testing showed the aircraft to be a stable and capable aircraft. It was approved for publication shortly thereafter.

TAA USAF Designation: D361-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Scissors

Ruler

Tape

Pencil

Stapler

Step 2: Begin Construction

Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make a mark, then measure 6 boxes back and make another mark. From this second mark, measure half a box up, three boxes behind. From this third mark, measure and mark 3 boxes upwards over 1 box backwards. One box in front of and below the last mark; then make a line stretching two boxes forward from this fifth mark. Beyond this, the pictures explain the other marks needed with less confusion--better than I can explain with words. Once all is marked out, cut out the fuselage.

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 (1 box of constant chord at the root, with a 1 by 3 rectangular trailing edge behind a 2 by 2 box area of wing with a sweep of 1 boxes of chord eliminated every box away from the fuselage). Then cut the wing out. Then cut the wing out. Measure 2 boxes along the crease, measure two boxes upwards from one mark and make another point. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this new mark to the one further away. From the mark you just made, measure one box further away from the one now connected to the line and make a mark. Sketch a line between this mark and the other mark along the crease. Then cut the horizontal stabilizers out.

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

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Step 3: Making the Fuselage

Begin constructing your fuselage by folding the counterweights into the fuselage. Once they have been folded, unfold the fuselage and cut off the right vertical stabilizer. Once this is done, restore the fold. After doing this, fold the vertical stabilizer forward along the dotted line that indicates the center of what will be the slot for the horizontal stabilizers, then cut. After this cut has been made, cut away the bottom of the fuselage beneath the diagonal line near the rear of the fuselage. Following this cut, cut along the vertical line of the ventral fins. Apply tape where designated and fold the ventral fins as shown.

Step 4: Applying the Wings and Horizontal Stabilizers; Stapling

Cut out your Simple SkyMosquito's wings and lay them beneath the fuselage. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the fuselage. Flip the airframe over and apply tape at the LERX-wing joint, as shown. After securing the wings, cut out the horizontal stabilizers. Thread them through their slit and then secure them with tape as designated. Apply one staple in the area of the counterweight. This will complete your Simple SkyMosquito.

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Step 5: Flight

The Simple SkyMosquito flies similar to other drone-fighters, and so anyone with experience with other comparable designs should have little difficulty transitioning. Launches should be at moderate to high speed at (slightly) negative,
neutral or positive attitudes. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!