Introduction: How to Make the Super Orion Paper Airplane
The origins of the Super Orion trace immediately back to the Orion itself. When the Orion was posted, it become very popular as a warm reception greeted it. When I saw how well-liked it had become, I realized a successor was needed. When I began the design phase for this successor, I decided it would be smaller than the original Orion, and have a more sleek, swept empennage. Over time, the prototypes progressively shrank, and the overall size decreased. In the end, the Super Orion was indeed substantially smaller than the original Orion.
Just like the original, the Super Orion is very adaptable, and is suitable for use as a fighter-interceptor, research testbed, and stunt airplane.
Some usages for educators could include studies of:
- Glide ratio
- Hangtime versus other aircraft
- Weight and balance
TAA USAF Designation: D180-1
Step 1: Materials
Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Stapler
Tape
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--9 full boxes apart. Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 9 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the elevators, rudder and counterweight as shown. Follow the photograph markings. Then, just behind the counterweight, mark a line that stretches 3 boxes back. 1.5 boxes back from the beginning of this line, make a dotted line vertically. 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 (2 boxes in length by 3 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every 3 boxes away from the fuselage). Half of a box in from the wingtip, make a dotted line parallel to the wingtip. Then cut it out.
Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.
Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches
Step 3: Making the Rudder and Making and Taping the Fuselage
Begin making your rudder by separating it from the other vertical stabilizer. Then cut one of the two layers of paper where the rudder should be off (I usually cut off the left myself). After you've cut these boxes off, you may discard them. Then, after having cut out all of the fuselage. Begin folding it along the dotted lines. After you've folded all the lines correctly, you should now cut along the line in the middle of the fuselage. Do this by folding the fuselage to the right, making a cut, and repeating the fold to the left. Then tape your fuselage together at the front, back (against the vertical stabilizer) and across the counterweight fold. Then fold your vertical fin along the dotted line and cut along the solid line in the center of the fuselage and then unfold.
Step 4: Applying the Wing and Making the Winglets
Now it is time to work with your Super Orion's wing. Separate the fuselage around the cut you made. Then put the wing through the fuselage and pull half of it through. Then fold the two halves up on each side of the fuselage. Then apply a small piece of tape to the underside of the wings while they are folded up flush with the fuselage. Once this is done, fold the winglets down along those half box marks you made on the wingtips.
Step 5: Applying the Horizontal Stabilizers and Stapling
Like the wings, cut out the horizontal stabilizers and separate the fuselage around the cut you made. Then put the stabilizer through the fuselage and pull half of it through. Then fold the two halves up on each side of the fuselage. Then apply a small piece of tape to the underside of the stabilizers while they are folded up flush with the fuselage. Once this is done, apply one staple to the counterweight area.
Step 6: Flight
Like the Stinger and Orion before it, the Super Orion is a small, fast little airplane. At launch a fast throw in the direction you want it to go is all that is needed. For stability adjustments, you may need to tinker with the horizontal stabilizers. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, ailerons, flaperons, slats, air brakes, elevators and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!
Participated in the
4th Epilog Challenge
