How to Make the Hunter Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and capable, the Hunter paper airplane is a quick fighter-interceptor. The Hunter is designed as an aircraft that bridges the gap between aircraft like the Strike Ultraceptor and MetaVulcan.

Development of the Hunter began to create a new interceptor with lower wing loading than the Ultraceptor series (to help extend its range) but higher wing loading than the Vulcan series (to increase its stability). Understanding it would be easier to make the larger design smaller than the other way around, I looked to the proven MetaVulcan as a starting point for the new design. To increase wing loading whilst improving airframe strength, the aircraft was designed with a new type of airfoil fold which was developed for it during the aircraft's genesis (originally, the prototype had the same platform but lacked these folds, hurting it). With the new configuration, the aircraft proved itself quite impressive. As a result of its success, it was approved for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F372-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length and Nose Folding

Fold your paper in half length-wise. Then pull the paper down so that the crease stretches from the fold at the front you just made and the corner of the paper on the other side. Repeat on the other side. Pull the edge of this layer back toward the crease on each side and then open these folds. Fold the edges into the creases as shown, the pull the creases of these corner folds into themselves as shown.

Step 3: Canard, Fourth and Wing Folding

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 apex of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown.

Pull the tips of the paper along the trailing edges into the center fold and crease to make the fourth folds. After making the creases, unfold. After you have done this, reverse the creases as shown. Next, fold the fourth folds the opposite way from what you did before. Fold the paper down and reverse the airfoil folds as shown.

With this completed, pull the outer tips of the wings outward between the airfoils and trailing edges as shown. After doing this on each side, reverse the airfoil folds again to place all airfoils on the ventral side of the paper as pictured.

Step 4: Nose, Canard, Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Pull the tip of the nose to the trailing edge and crease as shown. Measure 1 inch back from this crease along the center crease and make a mark at this point. Pull the nose forward again and crease (be sure to keep the nose straight by aligning the center crease with itself). After making this second crease, unfold it and fold the tips inward as shown. After doing so, pull the nose forward once again.

Fold the aircraft in half along the center crease, then measure 1 inch above the center crease along the trailing edge and make a mark. Before folding the wings down, fold the canards down. Fold the wings down at the trailing edge mark. Align the trailing edges of the wing with the trailing edge of the fuselage to maintain the proper angle of incidence.

To make the winglets, you will have to make four marks. Measure 1 inch from each wingtip along the wings' trailing edges and mark as noted. After doing this, measure 1.75 inches from each wingtip along the wings' leading edges and mark as noted.

Tape where noted in the photographs.

Step 5: Flight

The Hunter flies similar to most other dart paper airplanes, particularly the Vulcan series and other derivatives of it. Launches should be made at moderate to high speeds at neutral or positive attitude. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, rudders and air brakes. Enjoy!