How to Make the Valkyrie Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and aerodynamic, the Valkyrie is a sleek dart paper airplane meant as an intermediate between the smaller Vulture and larger Vulcan family aircraft.

The Valkyrie was designed in an effort to develop a larger Vulture variant with greater flexibility than the dedicated interceptor that was the original Vulture. The Vulture, which had fairly high wing loading, was fast and capable as an interceptor but was not a stellar glider. On the other hand, the larger Vulcan family aircraft had lower wing loading and greater versatility. To address the lack of a midsize aircraft between these two aircraft, I resolved to design such an aircraft. By reworking some folds of the Vulture and lengthening its nose, the Valkyrie was formed. Ventral stabilizers were fitted, as were elevators to trim the aircraft. The aircraft proved itself capable in testing as a good performing embodiment of dart and glider properties combined. As a result, I approved it for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F376-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Ruler

Pencil

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Take your paper and fold it along its length. Then pull the corners in and fold their creases into the center. Unfold the paper, then fold the edges into the creases you have made with the previous folds. After doing this, fold the corners of the paper down on each side, as shown. After this, fold the creases of these folds down over top of themselves. Continue to fold the paper along existing creases until your paper matches the last photograph to create the airfoils.

Fold the previous folds along the existing creases as shown, then pull the overhanging paper back away from the center crease. Repeat on the other side. Pull the tip of the nose back until its tips meet the apexes of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown after pulling the overhanging portion back forward.

After completing the canard folding, fold the blunt tip of the nose back to the trailing edge of the paper and crease. Fold the leading edges of the wing down along the trailing edges of the airfoil folds as shown. Once the creases of these new folds have been made, unfold them, then reverse the folds over themselves as shown.

Fold the aircraft in half along its center crease and measure 1 inch above the center crease along the trailing edge and make a mark at this point. Then measure 1 inch in from the wingtips along the trailing edges and make a mark. Once this has been done, measure 0.625 inches in where noted in the photograph and repeat on the other side.

Fold the canards down whilst aligning their leading edges with that of the nose as shown. Fold the wings down at the 1 inch mark made previously--while you do so, align the trailing edges of the wings with the trailing edge of the fuselage. Fold the winglets at the marks 1 inch in from each wingtip; align the trailing edges of the winglets with those of the wings.

Fold the ventral stabilizers at the marks made previously and align the trailing edges of the stabilizers with the trailing edge of the part of paper they originate from.

Apply tape where designated in the photographs. From the wing fold mark, measure 0.75 inches from it and make a mark. From this new mark, measure a further 0.75 inches and make another mark. From each of these two marks, measure 0.375 inches inward and make two solid lines as shown. Cut along this lines. This will complete your Valkyrie.

As its configuration is similar to the Vulcan and Vulture paper airplanes, the Valkyrie handles very much the same. At launch, the aircraft should be launched at moderate to high speeds as neutral or positive attitudes. Generally, the fast the flight is intended, the less elevator deflection is needed. The slower the intended flight, the more elevator deflection is needed. Test flights should be made to determine the proper settings for the desired flight profiles. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, ailerons, rudders, air brakes and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!