How to Make the Vulture Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the Vulture is an easy to make dart paper airplane meant for origami aviators looking for a nimble fighter-interceptor.

Development of the Vulture was begun in an effort to replace the aging Simple UltraVulcan with a newer design. In addition, I sought to design the successor with greater simplicity in the design. To this end, I decided to base the new design upon the JetVulcan. With modifications to the wing folds, simplicity was increased while wing strength also grew. The aircraft showed itself to have good handling characteristics when tested, and boasted good high speed stability due to its relatively high wing loading. With these results, I approved the design for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F360-1

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 this is done, pull the nose folds forward until they reach the airfoil folds' new rear points and stop to make a crease; then fold the airplane up along its center crease.

Fold your paper airplane in half along its center. Fold the canards down as shown, aligning its leading edge with the fuselage to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Measure 1 inch upwards along the trailing edge from the center crease and 1 inch inwards from the wingtip along the trailing edge. Once you have done this, fold the wings down at the 1 inch mark you made previously. After this has been completed, fold each winglet at the 1 inch point you made previously. After the winglets are made, apply tape where designated. This will complete your Vulture.

Shaped similar to many of the aircraft of the Vulcan family, the Vulture also handles very much the same too. The Vulture should be launched at a neutral or positive attitude at a moderate to high speed. Additional applicable surfaces include elevators, ailerons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!