How to Make the Black Widow Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and cool looking, the Black Widow is a paper airplane well suited for the interceptor and fighter-bomber roles origami aviators might need it for. With ventral fins reminiscent of the older Raven, the Black Widow is a fast airplane with canards for extra lift. It is a relative of the "Skyknight-class" paper airplanes.

Although originally designed to replace the similar but older Banshee, the Black Widow has proven to be a capable fighter-bomber and interceptor. For origami aviators using the Banshee already, this multirole capability makes the choice of supplementing or replacing the Banshee with the Black Widow advantageous. The Black Widow also has provisions for slats, flaps, ailerons, elevators and rudders.


TAA USAF Designation: F216-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Optional:
Pencil
Ruler
1 Small Paper Clip (ballast)

Fold your paper in half length-wise. Proceed to do this again so the paper will be divided into 4 tall but skinny sections.

From one of the two short sides, pull in the corners. Then pull the leading edges of each side to the bottom of the airfoils of the other side. Then repeat on the other side. When this is complete, your paper should appear as it does in the last photo.

Tuck the paper as shown. A diamond should become apparent by the end of this step.

Pull the paper that is covering itself out so that it jetties out from the edge of the center paper. When you pull it out, the fold should run from the bottom of the nose folds to the fourth fold in the trailing edge of the wing. Do this on both sides.

Find half an inch above the bottom of the fuselage, fold the wings down. Make sure the folded wings' trailing edges are flush with that of the fuselage. Then fold the wingtips of the wing extensions up, and make the crease parallel to the fuselage.

Tape your Black Widow at its front, back, wing extension roots, canards' trailing edges and across its wing root at the rear.

Like the Skyknight and other fast airplanes like it, the Black Widow is a very fast paper airplane that needs a fast throw for best performance flights. If you attach any cargo, do so above or just behind the canards, as their extra lift will help accommodate it. To keep the angle of attack (AoA) low when/if not carrying cargo, add a small paper clip to the fuselage above the canards. Enjoy!