How to Make the TwinJet Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and fitted with a pair of nacelles, the TwinJet is a paper airplane that looks like it could zoom across any classroom or backyard (because it can!)

The TwinJet came as a result of some experimental folding I was doing with Fury-like bases. Its cool shape and popular reaction to publicly released images to it ensured the aircraft was to be published once it passed its flight testing.

TAA USAF Designation: F459-1

Required:

1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper

Tape

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

Fold the paper in half along its lengths. Then, after doing this, pull the corners of one side of the paper down into the center as shown in the third photograph. Repeat on the other side, as shown in the fourth photograph.

After doing this, open the paper and fold down along the rear edges of the corner folds as shown in the fifth and sixth photographs.

Measure 1 inch from the trailing edge on both sides of the paper, as shown in the first and second photographs. Make a clear mark on the center crease at the leading edge of the paper, as shown in the third photograph.

Fold the paper between the marks on the wing and the center crease mark and then unfold. Repeat on the other side. (Photographs 4 to 7)

Using the creases you made previously, bend the paper as you see in the first photograph. Then fold the paper along the center crease you made originally.

After doing this, pull one side back up and over the center fold and crease it as it lays over top of the center fold. Repeat on the other side. (Photographs 3 and 4) Once you've made these folds, open the paper completely. This will include unfolding the original two corner folds.

Refold the paper along existing creases until it is as it is shown in the seventh and eight photographs.

Fold the tip of the nose backward to the trailing edge of its layer and crease, as shown in the first and second photographs. When this is done, pull the outer sides into the center crease on each side. Once this is done, tuck them into the nose fold.

Using the forward edge as a limit and the trailing edge to ensure alignment, fold the edges of the rectangle up, as shown in the fifth paragraph. Once you have done this, unfold every fold you've made since the second photograph. Pull the outer rear corners forward until you've aligned the trailing edge with the outermost crease. (Photograph 7)

Pull the rear portion of the nose folds forward until you cannot pull it any further. (Photographs 8 to 10)

Turn the nose to face you as you work with it.

Push a pencil (or pen) through the folds you made in the previous step to expand them. Once you have done this, push the edge crease down so that it lies over top of the fold crease that connects it to the nose folds. Repeat this process on the other side.

Along the trailing edge, measure 1 inch above the center crease and make a mark. Once this is done, measure 1 inch from the wingtip along the trailing edge and make a mark. (Photographs 1 to 2)

From the first mark, measure 1 inch onward and make a mark. Then from this new mark, measure a further 0.75 inches further from the center crease and make a mark. (Photograph 3)

From the last two marks you made, measure perpendicularly 0.375 inches inward on each and make lines of that distance. (Photographs 4 to 5) Cut along each of these lines. (Photographs 6 to 7)

Fold the wings down at the first mark while keeping the trailing edges of the wing aligned with that of the fuselage. Repeat on the other side. (Photographs 8 to 9) Be sure the nacelles are not in the way of the wing folding during this process.

Once the wings have been folded, fold the winglets. (You need to make a mark 1 inch in from the wingtip on the wing you did not mark before.)

Apply tape in the designated places. Before applying any tape, check all of the pictures' notes. Follow numerical order when the notes are numbered.

Once the taping has been completed, set the elevators to 15 degrees "nose up" deflection. (This is a standard initial setting, which will be adjusted if needed after test flights.)

The TwinJet is a hybrid between a glider and a dart. It features rather large wings but is meant to fly relatively quickly--where you point it is where it should head.

Test flights should be conducted to see what trimming (if any) is necessary. Additional applicable surfaces include ailerons, air brakes, trimmable rudders and an electronic warfare tail.

Enjoy!