How to Make the Super Thunderwarrior Paper Airplane

Long range, simple and versatile, the Super Thunderwarrior is an excellent, multipurpose paper airplane. Origami aviators of all skill levels can easily find a use for this large, very capable aircraft. Like the Thunderwarrior from which it was derived, the Super Thunderwarrior is an aircraft with very tame handling characteristics, and so the aircraft can easily serve as a trainer too. The aircraft's low wing loading enables excellent low speed handling as well, giving the Super Thunderwarrior an even wider margin of operation.

TAA USAF Designation: A162-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
2 Pieces of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Ruler
Pencil
Optional:
Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length and Corner Folding on the Front Airframe

Begin by folding one piece of paper in half length-wise. Then pull the corners into the center. Then pull the diagonal folds of the previous corner folds toward the center.

Step 3: Nose Folding and Wing Folding Preparation

Fold your aircraft in half with its airfoil folds on the folds' inside. Then measure 1 inch above the center fold on the fuselage at the trailing edge.  Proceed to the nose and move backwards from the tip until the measure between center fold and the leading edge is 1 inch. Unfold the paper and pull the tip of the nose back until the point is reached. Then fold the fuselage in half again.

Step 4: Width and Corner Folding on the Back Airframe

Fold the paper in half along its width. Then fold the corners down to the center. Once both are folded, unfold them. Then pull the outer edges of the paper down to the crease of the previous corner folds. Then fold again along the first corner folds.

Step 5: Merging and Taping the Two Airframes; Fin and Winglet Preparation

Make a mark 1 inch above the center of the fuselage. Push the second airframe up to the back of the airfoil of the first airframe. Fold the two up along the center with the clean sides remaining outward. Tape the papers together on the underside where they meet, at the wingtips and center. Once everything is taped where designated, fold the wing down so the root intersects with the marks you have previously made. The trailing edge of the wing should be parallel with that of the fuselage.

After the wings have been folded, measure 1 inch inwards from the wingtip and make a mark. Then measure 1 inch forward from this mark, and make a line. Then measure 0.75 inches forward of the trailing edge along the wingtip and make a mark. Then connect this mark to the edge of the line you just made. Then cut along this diagonal line. This will prepare your fins and winglets.

Step 6: Winglet and Elevator Folding; Taping

Fold the ventral fins so that their trailing edges are parallel with that of the wing. Once this is done, fold the ventral fins beneath the wings and fold the wings down. Then fold the wingtips up so that their edges meet the ends of the ventral fin cuts as shown. This will complete the folding of the aircraft.

Measure along the trailing edge 1.125 inches from the wing root and make a mark. Then measure a further 0.75 inches from this mark and make another. From each of these marks, measure 0.375 inches forward and cut along them. Then pull the paper of these forward. Then reduce the elevators' folds to ~30 degrees. This will complete the elevators. Unfold the winglets and fins and make them perpendicular to the wings. Then tape where designated.

Step 7: Flight

The Super Thunderwarrior is a sturdy paper airplane with a large wing. As a result, for long range, high speed flights, tosses at moderate speed are optimal. Launches should be conducted at neutral or negative attitude only, unless using a faster throw (which require elevator trim changes). Additional surfaces applicable include slats, flaps, flaperons, spoilers, spoilerons, ailerons, elevators, elevons, air brakes, a bomb bay and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!