How to Make the UltraStratoVulcan Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and versatile, the UltraStratoVulcan is an improved variant of the Turbo StratoVulcan paper airplane, featuring redesigned wings for better performance and handling at high speeds and greater rigidity. It is a refined (though distant) descendant of the popular Super StratoVulcan.

The development of the UltraStratoVulcan was undertaken in parallel with that of its brethren, the Turbo UltraVulcan and Super ThunderVulcan in mid-June 2014. The same structural alterations were made, and as with the other two aircraft, the planform remained the same despite the internal changes. The aircraft was completed in a very short time due to its fair commonality with its basis and similar handling. Flight testing showed the aircraft's performance was excellent and it was cleared for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F292-16

Step 1: Materials

Required:

1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length, Airfoil, Nose and Fourth Folding

Fold your paper in half length-wise. Then pull the paper down so that the crease stretches from the fold at the front you just made and the corner of the paper on the other side. Repeat on the other side. Once this is completed, pull the overhanging paper back above the center crease made earlier. Fold the airfoil over themselves, then back into themselves as shown. Fold the edges of these sections down over the center crease as shown, then pull the triangular tip of the nose back over them. After this is done, open the nose fold as shown, then make the folds as pictured. Tuck these folds into themselves, then into the nose flap as you fold it back down again. Fold the tips of the wings into the center as shown to divide the paper into fourths

Step 3: Nose, Canard, Wing and Winglet Folding

Fold down the canards whilst keeping their leading edges aligned with the nose to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Following this, fold down the wings at the fourth folds you made previously. Align the trailing edges of the wings with that of the fuselage to keep the angle of incidence at zero degrees. After this is finished, fold the wingtips down to the fourth folds.

Step 4: Taping

Apply tape to the nose above and below the canard, as well as to the dorsal LERX-wing joint. Then apply tape to the rear of the fuselage and over the wing root near the trailing edge. Once this has been done, apply tape to the ventral LERX joint and canard folds to secure them to the fuselage. This will complete your UltraStratoVulcan.

Step 5: Flight

The UltraStratoVulcan flies much like the Turbo UltraVulcan and Super ThunderVulcan; anyone with experience with the two latter airplanes should have little trouble transitioning to the former. The UltraStratoVulcan should be launched at a neutral or positive attitude at a moderate to high speed. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, slats, flaperons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!