How to Make the Turbo Vigilante Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and versatile, the Turbo Vigilante is a paper airplane capable of gliding long distances. It was developed from the original Vigilante and features improvements to its wing strength. The Turbo Vigilante is an excellent choice for origami aviators who enjoy fast airplanes as well as slow flying gliders, as it can fit both performance patterns easily.

The Turbo Vigilante was developed to give the original Vigilante design some of the structural improvements that have been developed for newer aircraft like the Vulcan family. Most of the original design of the Vigilante was retained--while it was designed in 2011, it has remained quite competitive with newer designs--but the airfoil structure was changed to increase rigidity. Flight testing showed the aircraft handled the new structuring well and its wing strength had been increased; publication was approved soon afterward.

TAA USAF Designation: A128-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper

Tape

Ruler

Pencil

Optional:

Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length Folding and Cover Fold Preparation

First, begin by folding your paper in half lengthwise. Then pull one corner of the paper downwards to the long edge of the other side. Then repeat this reversed, with the other corner.

Step 3: Airfoil and Security Folding

Pull the corners of the paper inwards to their corresponding cover fold creases. Then unfold and pull the edges of the paper into the creases you have just made. After doing this, pull the outer edges of the paper into the crease on each side as shown. With this, restore the first folds of the step.

Fold the nose downward along the established creases. Pull the corners of the now blunt tip of the nose inward toward the center crease. Once both corners have been folded, pull the security fold forward to lock down the airfoils.

Step 4: Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Fold the aircraft along the center crease, then measure 0.75 inches above this crease along the trailing edge and make a mark. Then measure 0.75 inches in from the wingtip along the trailing edge and make a mark. After all the marking is done, fold the wing down at the first mark whilst keeping its trailing edge parallel with that of the fuselage. Once both wings are folded, fold the wingtips along the second mark with their trailing edges remaining parallel with those of the wing.

Apply tape to the nose, trailing edge and airfoil and security folds as noted. This will complete your Turbo Vigilante.

Step 5: Flight

Although it is a dart, the Turbo Vigilante features a large wing, enabling it to fly at both high and low speed. Launches should be done at moderate to high speed at neutral or positive attitude. Launches at low speed can be done at neutral and negative attitude, but range is reduced. Test flights should be conducted to determine what trim (if any) is necessary. Additional surfaces applicable to the Vigilante include elevators, ailerons, elevons, spoilers, spoilerons, rudders and air brakes. Enjoy!