How to Make the Shrike Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the Shrike is an aerodynamic dart paper airplane meant to succeed the StratoDagger paper airplane.

The Shrike was developed from the Predator as a simplified derivative--in much the same fashion as the StratoDagger had been from the HelioVulcan. As a result, the Shrike's design was understood well from the beginning and quickly came together. In testing, the conventional shape of the aircraft proved reliable and showed itself to be capable too. With the plane's worth shown, it was soon approved for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F416-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Ruler

Pencil

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Fold the paper in half along its length. Then fold the paper in half along its width.

Once this is done, pull the width edge of one side of the paper into the width center crease and make a crease. After doing this, unfold the paper. Taking the same width edge again, pull the paper into this fourth crease and make another crease. When you have pulled the edge of your paper into this crease, you will have completed the step.

Pull the corners of the paper with the folded edge down to the center crease on each side. After making creases for these folds, pull the new creases themselves in over the center crease.

Unfold these new diagonal folds and pull the inner tips of the folded sections forward again as shown. Then reverse the fold and tuck the paper underneath itself. Repeat on the other side.

Pull the length edges into the diagonal creases on each side. After doing this, unfold the paper and then pull the corners of the paper into the new creases as shown in the fifth and sixth photographs.

Working with these new corner folds, pull them forward until you reach the rear edge of the nose fold on each side and crease them. After completing that, pull the leading edges of these folds back to the creases that have resulted and then the creases back over themselves, as shown between photographs nine through twelve.

After the folding has been done, reverse the folds on each side to tuck the paper under itself. Finishing this, pull the leading edge of this angled portion itself into the crease and make a new crease. Repeat on the other side.

Fold the airfoils down along the existent creases as shown in the first photograph. After doing this, pull the overhanging portions of paper back above the center crease by way of the existent fold line at it. These portions you fold up on each side will become the canards.

Lay out the paper flat and allow the diamond to be spread out as shown in the fifth photograph. Pull the tip backward until the apexes of the diamond are reached on each side. After doing this, pull the tip forward again until it reaches an existing line on itself and crease it at that point. Proceed to then tuck this portion of the paper in as pictured.

Along the trailing edge, measure 1 inch from the center crease and make a mark. After this mark has been made, measure 1 inch from the wingtip on each side and make a mark. There two marks will be used as references for folding points later in this step.

Fold the canards down on each side by pulling the to the limit imposed along the forward edge while aligning the leading edges of the canards with that of the nose.

After folding the canards into position and out of the way, begin working with the wings. Fold the wings down at the mark 1 inch from the center crease. Keep the trailing edges of the wings in line with the rear edge of the fuselage to create the proper angle.

After folding both wings, fold the winglets by pulling the parts of the wings outboard of the marks you made earlier inward, creased at the two 1 inch markings.

Tape where designated in the photographs to complete your Shrike.

The Shrike's conventional, simplistic design allows it to be a predictable aircraft. Where it is pointed is where the dart will tend to go. As a result, even new origami aviators should find flying the Shrike a fairly easy task.

Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitudes at moderate to high speeds. Test flights should be conducted to see what trim (if any) is required. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, ailerons, elevators, rudders, air brakes and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!