How to Make the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and sleek, this Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider replica is a paper airplane modeled after its namesake, an advanced "flying wing" stealth bomber.

By basing this replica upon its predecessor (the Shadow), development was swift. The sole 'artistic liberty' taken with this replica are its small vertical stabilizers...this B-21 doesn't yet have computerized flight controls like its big brother!

Required:

1 Piece of 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper

1 Post-It (3 inch by 3 inch)

Tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Fold the paper in half along its width, then pull the corners into the center on each side. After doing this, open the paper flat. Pull the tip of the nose backward to the rear edges of the folds and crease.

Pull the diagonal leading edge backward between the outboard rear edge of the folds and the center crease on each side.

Unfold the leading edge folds until they appear as they do in the second photograph.

With those nose folds out of the way, pull the innermost portions forward as shown in the third photograph. Pull the outer edges of these flaps back inward, align them over their own creases and make new creases to keep them in this position. After doing this, fold the flaps back down onto the sheet.

Pull the tip of the nose back toward the trailing edge. Pull the tip of the nose forward again until the diagonal edges reach the rear edges of the leading edge folds as shown in the seventh photograph. After creasing at this point, reverse the fold and tuck the new triangle beneath the flaps as shown in the eighth photograph.

Fold along the existent diagonal lines as you did before to replicate the position shown in the first photograph. After you have done this, pull the overhanging portion forward again until your folded part is even with the edge of the layer underneath, as shown in the second photograph. After making a crease, unfold as shown in the third and fourth photographs. Reverse the direction of the crease and tuck it beneath the lower layer as shown in the fifth photograph.

Repeat this process on the other side.

While folding the paper in half along its existent center crease, measure 3.3125 inches (0.3125 = 5/16ths) from the leading edge along the center crease and make a mark. (Photograph 1)

While folding the paper in half along its existent center crease, measure 2.25 inches from the leading edge along the center crease and make a reference mark. (Photograph 2) From the 2.25 inch reference mark, measure 2.1875 inches (0.1875 = 3/16ths) perpendicular and make a mark. (Photograph 3)

Along the edge of the paper, measure 0.75 inches from the leading edge along the edges and make a reference mark. (Photograph 4) From this reference mark, measure 0.625 inches (0.625 = 10/16ths) perpendicular and make a mark. (Photograph 5)

Confirm the result is the dot pattern shown (Photograph 6) before connecting the dots as shown. (Photograph 7)

Once the trailing edge lines have been made, measure 0.5 inches from the line's edge as depicted and make a mark. (Photographs 8-9) When this is done, make a line between the new mark and the corner of the paper at the leading edge of the paper. (Photograph 10)

Along the center crease, measure 2 inches from the trailing edge of the paper and make a mark. (Photograph 1) Along the edge of the paper, measure 2 inches from the trailing edge of the paper and make a mark. (Photograph 2) Connect the two marks. (Photograph 3)

Cut along the lines as pictured. Keep both cut portions--they will be used later. (Photographs 4-5)

Unfold the paper as shown. (Photograph 6)

Using the rectangular piece of paper you cut away in the last step, you will now make the spar.

Take the outer tip of the paper and pull it to the center crease as shown. (Photographs 1-2) After doing this, flip the paper and repeat on the other side. (Photographs 3-4)

Repeat the previous folds again: take the outer tip of the paper and pull it to the center crease as shown. (Photographs 5-6) After doing this, flip the paper and repeat on the other side then open the fold. (Photographs 7-8)

With the folded paper open, fold it lengthwise as shown. (Photograph 9)

Once this is done, fold the outer edges of the paper into the center as depicted. (Photographs 10-12) Fold the paper together and tape it shut to complete the spar. (Photographs 13-14)

Take the angular portion of paper you cut previously; make a diagonal line at the thinnest point on this piece of paper and cut along this line as shown. This will make the "skin" layers. (Photographs 1-3)

Begin by laying out the wing unfolded, as shown in the second photograph. Slip the spar underneath the leading edge folds as shown. (Photographs 4-5) Tape the spar into place to secure it. (Photographs 6-7)

With this done, put the skin piece over the leading edges to check their alignment with the center crease of the paper. After this is done, tuck them in under the leading edge folds and then tape the trailing edges of the skin pieces as shown. (Photographs 8-10)

Apply tape to the leading edge folds as shown. Cut away and fold overhanging tape as depicted.

Apply tape to the center section of the leading edge folds as shown to complete taping.

Using a ruler on your Post-It, measure 0.5 inches along the adhesive side of the Post-It and make a mark. Measure a further 0.5 inches horizontally, then make a second mark.

From each of these two marks along the edge, measure 0.5 inches perpendicularly, make a mark and then make a vertical line. Afterward, continue your vertical line a further 0.5 inches. Make two lines that perpendicularly connect the previous set of lines.

Along the non-adhesive side, measure 0.375 inches from the center line as shown. Connect this mark diagonally with the intersections as pictured.

Once you have drawn out the proper measurements, cut the stabilizers out. They should appear as they do in the second photograph.

To align the stabilizers properly, their trailing edges have to be trimmed to fit along the wing.

Put the two stabilizers at the center line of the wing at its trailing edge. The straight edges of the stabilizers should face the trailing edge of the wing; trim overhanging parts of the stabilizers' adhesive portions.

Fit the stabilizers so that their adhesive portions' edges align with the angled part of the wing's trailing edge. This will complete your B-21 Raider paper airplane.

As the the B-21 Raider is a flying wing paper airplane, it cannot be thrown as traditional paper airplanes are. Instead, the Shadow must be launched by advancing forward through the air with your hand until release.

To launch the airplane properly, hold it at its centerpoint (between the fins) with at least two fingers above the wing and your thumb below it. While holding your Raider in this manner, advance it forward at a medium to fast pace, at a neutral or very slightly negative attitude and then release it to begin its flight.

Conduct test flights to understand the behavior of your Raider. If yaw stability needs correction, adjust the stabilizers' trimming. If roll or pitch stability needs correction, you may adjust the wings' trailing edges to control rolling or pitching.

Enjoy!