Airigami: Realistic Origami Aircraft

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ForMyAngel

Copyright

Copyright©2006byElmerA.NorvellAllrightsreserved.

BibliographicalNoteThisDoveredition,firstpublishedin2009,isaslightlyalteredrepublicationofAirigamido,originallypublishedbyElmerA.Norvellin2006.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataNorvell,ElmerA.

Airigami:realisticorigamiaircraft/ElmerA.Norvell.

p.cm.

Includesbibliographicalreferences.

9780486132587

1.Paperairplanes.2.Origami.1.Title.

TL778.N672009736’.982—dc22

2009037223

ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesbyCourierCorporation47502601www.doverpublications.com

http://www.doverpublications.com

AbouttheAuthor

ElmerA.NorvellisaProfessionalEngineerwithover24yearsserviceintheUSMilitary.Heisaprivatepilotandultra-lightaircrafttestpilot.Hishobbiesincludemathematics,scubadiving,andrunning100-milemarathons(withabesttimeoflessthan21hours!).

HelivesinPikeRoad,Alabamawithhiswife,alsoamarathonerandhisson,whoisanEagleScoutandadrummer.

Introduction

Ilovefoldingpaper.Paperanimals,paperbuildings,paperinsects,butmostofallIlovefoldingpaperairplanes.Yousee,Iamalsopassionateaboutairplanes.Ihaveflownaircraftofmanyshapesandsizesfromfree-flight,rubber-bandpoweredbalsastickandtissuemodels,radio-controlledelectricsandgas,full-scaleprivategeneralaviation,andevenonce,Iwasatthecontrolsofanactualfull-scalemilitaryF-16FightingFalcondoinganaxialrollat30,000feet!

Origamiistheperfectmediumtoexpressmyrational,mathematicalcharacterandmyartistic,child-likeimagination.Itisstillmysticaltomehowbirdstakeflightandmanagetolandwithpinpointaccuracyonawireseeminglyeffortlessly.EvenknowingBernoulliprinciplesandmyriadsofmathematicalandengineeringreasonsformakingflightpossible,Istillthinkthereissomethingmagicalaboutflight.Ifindthesamemagicinfoldingpaper.EventhoughrationallyIcanseethelogicofthefolds,itstillsurprisesmewhenatwo-dimensionalsheetofnothingconvertsintoathree-dimensionalobjectinmyhands.

Foldingisalsoafunwaytopassthetimeandthenumberofmodelsyoucanmakeisonlylimitedbyhowmuchpaperyouhaveavailable.Paperneverseemstobeaproblemwithallthejunkmailandadvertisementsoutthere.Ihavehadgreatfunfoldingmodelsinwaitingroomsandhavegottenintosomegood-humoredtroublewithmotherswhosechildrentosstheairplanesaroundindelight.

Ihopeyousharemyenthusiasmforcreatingandflyinggreatlooking,realisticpaperaircraft.

“T.J.”

ElmerA.Norvell

Additionalinformation:

Thedesignsinthiscompilationaremyown.However,Ihavegenerouslyborrowedandadaptedtechniquesfoundinnumerousotherorigamiworkslistedinthebibliography.Alldraftingofthediagramsisalsobymyhand.Ihavemadeeveryattempttomakethedrawingsaccurateandeasytofollow.ThemajorityofthesedesignsareIntermediatetoComplex.Onlythroughdedicationandrepetitioncanoneexpecttogetqualityresults.Becausethepaperusedinthesedesignsisavailableandonmanyoccasionsfree,creatingexcellentflyingandstaticmodelsisonlylimitedtothetimeonespendsinpractice.Forclarificationofanydesignsorerrorsinthediagrams,[email protected]

SpecialthankstoJohnMontroll,forhisadvice,andMarkKennedyforhisenthusiasm.Mymostheartfeltappreciationtomywife,JeanellNorvell,PhD,forherexcellentphotographyforthisbookandherenduringencouragement.

MyOrigamiphilosophy:

1.Maximumefficiencywithminimumeffort.(Elegance)Achievearationaldesignthroughnaturalfoldingrhythmtoachievearealisticandfunctionalmodel.

2.Mutualwelfareandbenefit.Createanenvironmentofmutualrespectamongdesignersandfoldersthatsynergisticallypromotesandelevatestheartoforigamiandthe“PeaceofPaper.”

TableofContents

TitlePageDedicationCopyrightPageAbouttheAuthorIntroduction

Symbols/StructuresFlightPrinciples-FlightWorthinessofPaperModels-Gravity,Thrust,Lift,andDragConcordeBoeingX-45AUCAVAURORAF-16FightingFalconF-16XLExperimentalSAABGripen/RafaleXB-70ValkyrieRocketRacerGrummanX-29ExperimentalF-22RaptorJ-2ExperimentalF-117NIGHTHAWKSR-71BlackbirdWWIIAircraftBase-JU-87Stuka/P-51Mustang/Corsair/Spitfire/ZeroA-10WarthogHowtoTrim/AirplaneTermsFurtherStudy/Bibliography

Symbols/Structures

FlightPrinciples

FlightWorthinessofPaperModels-Gravity,Thrust,Lift, andDrag

GravityandThrustGravityandThrustaremostlyfixed.Tochangegravitysignificantlyyoumust

getoutofEarth’sgravitybygoingoutinspaceorlivingonadifferentplanet.Currentlytherearenotmanyoptions.Thrustislimitedbythestrengthandtechniqueofwhoeverisflyingthemodel.Thereissomedifferenceinexperiencedpaperairplanepilots,howevermostlythisisamatterofpracticeandtrialanderror.Launchingaircraftatthecorrectattitudeandwhenoutsidelaunchingintothewindmayimprovetheflightdurationandperformance.

LiftMostefficientliftingbodiestendtobeslowandhavealotofinherentdrag.

Theliftingfoilisagoodexampleofaduration-typepaperplane.

FlyingFoil—startwithanysquareonStep5bendaroundthesharpcornerofadesktomakedihedralcurve(forstability).

6Gentlypushandfoilwillfly.

Thefoiliseffectivebecauseitmaximizeswingareabyeliminatingthefuselageandothercontrolsurfacesandprojections.Therearenotmanyscaleexamplesofthese.Goodsourcesofthesetypefull-scaleaircraftaretheX-Planesprograms.TheX-20Dyna-SoarandtheX-23Prime,X-24(A,BandC),X-30A,X-33,X-38andtheX-45AUCAVareallgoodexamplesofliftingbodydesigns.Theseaircraftaremuchmoredifficulttotrimandcontrolthandart-typeconventionaljets.Theyarenotasaestheticallyappealingnoraswellknownasconventionalaircraft.Theliftingbodydesignisimportantandhasledtothedevelopmentofthereusablespaceshuttle.

Dart-typejetsdonotrelyonliftasmuchastheydothrust.DesignsincludeF-16,F16-XL,XB-70Valkyrie,X-29,andSAABGripenwhicharelikelythebestflyersinthisbook.Theyarefastandcanflylongdistances.Theyhaverelativelylowdragandslightlylesswingarea.Theyareagoodcombinationofspeedandduration.

DragDragisundesirableandinhibitsflightspeedanddurationforpaperairplanes.

MoreprojectionssuchastheXB-70Valkyrie(page35)comparedtotheF-16XL(page25)equatestomoredragontheXB-70.However,largerwingareatoweightratioscauseincreaseddragandreducesoverallspeed.

(seeHowtoTrim/AirplaneTermspage111foradditionalinformation)

Concorde

TheConcordewasthefirstandonlycommercialjettocruiseatspeedsfasterthanthespeedofsound.ThisMach2plusaircraftwastheproductofcooperationbetweentheSud-AviationofFranceandtheBritishAircraftCorporation(BAC).ThisSST(Super-SonicTransport)beganoperationin1976andflewupto144passengerseachflightuntilitwastakenoutofservice25yearslater.

Startwith5”x5”(square)colored/printedsidedown

1.Foldinhalfondiagonal.Unfold.

2.Foldrawedgestocenteronbothsides.

3.Thiscreatesakitebase.(Guesswhyitiscalledakite-base.)Foldinhalf.Leavefolded.

4.ValleyfoldFrontandBack.

5.Valleyfoldwing.Repeatonreverseside.Turntotheright.

6.Reversefoldrudderbypullingitthroughthefuselage.Thepivotpointisattheapexofthehiddenpaper(pointA).

7.Reversefoldrudderinhalf.

8.Pullwingsdowntorightangles(90degrees)tofuselage.Shapenose.Folddownonelevatorsslightlytotrimforflight.

9.3-DimensionalDetail

BoeingX-45AUCAV

TheBoeingX-45AUnmannedCombatAerialVehicle(UCAV)isthetestbedforcombataircraftflownwithoutapiloton-board.Thevehiclecanbedirectedviasatellitecontrolorflyautonomously(self-guided)bypre-programmedcomputer.Thevehicleisstealthyandthereisnopoliticalpressuretorescueapilotifthingsgowrong.Couldthefuturebecombatairplaneswithoutpilotsinthem?

1.Startwithsquarepapercoloredsidedown.Foldandunfoldalonglongdiagonal.

2.Foldandunfoldtomarklocations.

3.Valleyfoldandunfoldfuselage

4.Valley-foldandunfoldthewings.

5.Foldupthetailsectionthenfoldbacktheexhaust.

6.Foldbackexhaust.

7.Refoldwings

8.Narrowwingsbyvalleyfoldingtrailingedge.

9.Valley-foldtail.

10.Valley-foldfirstthenmountain-fold(foldbackout)thefuselage.Notethepre-foldsindicatewhereyoushouldfold.

11.Valley-foldandtuckgrayshadedareaintail.

12.Foldfuselageinhalfandturnmodelasshown.

13.Foldupfuselage.

14.Reversefoldnose

15.Foldoutandshape.Noseshouldbevalley-foldedasshown.

AURORA

Thistop-secretaircraftmayormaynotexist.Noverifiedsightingshavebeenmadeofthis“BlackProject.”ThedepictionhereismyfantasyofBillSweetman’sinterpretationofwhatthispulse-jetmaylooklike,butfeelfreetocomeupwithyourownvariation.The“truth”isoutthere...

Startwithsquarecolored/printedsidedown.

F-16FightingFalcon

TheF-16FightingFalcondevelopedbyGeneralDynamicsisoneofthemostprolificfighteraircraftflyingtoday.Over90countrieshavethisairplaneintheirinventory,over4,000havebeenproduced.TheF-16fliesatoverMach-2(twicethespeedofsound).

Startwith8.5”x11”rectanglecoloredsidedown.

1.Valleyfoldalongdashedlines,thenunfold.(4foldstotal).

2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproducethefollowingdiagram.Pushuponpre-foldatthebottomandleavefolded.

3.Liftonelayerandfoldtotheleft.

ExpandedView

4.Valleyfoldtwodiagonals.

5.Liftlayerandreturnittotherightside.

6.Nowrepeatsteps3,4,and5ontheleftside.

7.Theresultshouldlooklikethis.Next,liftthetoprightlayerandfoldovertotheleft.

8.Valleyfoldthewingalongthedashedline.(Justthetoplayer)

9.Foldthetoptwolayersovertotherightside.RepeatStep8ontherightside.

10.Modelshouldlooklikethis.Gotothenextstep.

11.Foldhorizontalstabilizeralongdashedlines.

12.Valleyfoldonbothdashedlines.DoLine1firstthendoLine2.(NotethefoldonLine1issmall,justpeelitdownasfarasitwillgo.Takeyourtimeto

avoidtearing.)

13.Lifttwolayersandfoldtotheleftandrepeatsteps11and12ontherightside.

14.Lifttoplayerandfoldtotheright.

15.Turnthemodelover.(Coloredsideup.)

16.Performareversefoldalongthedashedlines.Thisisthehardestpartofthisdesign.Itiseasiertodothemountainfoldsalongthecoloredpartoftherightsideofthefuselagefirst,thensqueezetheleftsidetocompletethefold.(Seethe

practicefoldsatthefrontofthebook.)

17.Givethemodelaquarterturntotherighttomakeitlooklikethediagram.Valleyfoldalongthedashedlinethroughtwolayers.Repeatonthebackside.

18.Pullupontheleftmostsectionunderthebellyoftheaircraft(shadedarea)untiltheverticalstabilizerappearsasshowninthenextdiagram.Thisisthe

easiestwaytoperformthisreversefold.

19.Notenewlocationofverticalstabilizer.Holdontothethrowingfinandpulldownonthewinguntilitislevelwiththebaseofthefuselage.Repeatintherear.

20.Reachgentlyundertheverticalstabilizerandpulloutthetrappedpaperasfarasitwillgoinordertomaketherudder.Note:colorsarereversedtoshow

locationoftrappedpaper.(Squeezetogetherafterpullingout.)

21.Turnmodelsothatthecockpitfacesyouandshapethenose.Valleyfoldthetinytrianglesonthetailandtuckinsidethetoplayerofpaper.

Valleyfoldwingtipstomakemissilerails.

Holdingthethrowingfin,givethemodelamildtoss.

3-Dimensionalshapinginstructions.

Optionalscale-likewingdesign.Modelfliesineitherconfiguration.

Mountain-foldalonglaterallineandvalley-foldsmalldistanceasshownthroughalllayers.(Thisactuallylooksandworksbetterthanthemorecomplicateddoublereversefoldsalongthesamelinesonwings,seeRaptorinstructionsteps10-12(onpage57),ifyouwouldliketogiveitatry.)

F-16XLExperimental

TheF-16XLExperimentalisaoneofkindF-16fittedwithadeltawing.Thisaircraftwasflownbyafemaletestpilot,MartaR.Bohn-Meyer.Thoughneverputintoproduction,theaircraftdemonstratestheversatilityofthebasicF-16design.

Startwith8.5”x11”rectanglecoloredsidedown

1.Valleyfoldalongdashedlines,thenunfold.(5foldstotal)

2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproducethefollowingdiagram.Pushuponpre-foldsatthebottomandleavefolded.

3.Thisproducesamodifiedwater-bombbase.Tuckbothbottomflapsunderalllayers.Lifttoplayerandfoldtotheleft.

4.Valleyfoldtwodiagonalbisectors.





9.Foldthetoplayerovertotherightside.

10.Modelshouldlooklikethis.Valleyfoldthetoplayerbacktotheright.

11.Mountainfoldandtuckthetoplayerunderthebottompaperasshown.

12.Repeatsteps7through11ontheleftside.

13.Modelshouldlooklikethis.Turnthemodelover.

14.Reversefoldthroughalllayersandallowthemodeltocollapsesideways.

15.Reversefoldrudderbypullinguponpapershownatarrow.

16.Pushfoldonthefacingsidealongthemountainfoldlines.Repeatonbackside.

17.Valleyfoldwingsalonglaterallines.Bendupthroughalllayersandthenbackdownto90degrees(Perpendicular).Repeatonbackside.

18.Reversefoldruddertip.

19.ModelF-16XL.

SAABGripen/Rafale

DesignedformycollegefriendRick,aViggenandGripenpilot.Swedenpridesitselfonproducingtheirownaircraft.AsaresultofWWII,Swedishaircraftaredesignedforshorttakeoffsandlandingswhichenablethemtobelaunchedfromunconventionalsurfacessuchasremoteroadwaysandunimprovedsurfaces.Eliminatingtherequirementforairports,theSwedescandispersetheiraircraftthroughoutthecountry.


1.Foldalonglines,thenunfold,exceptforthetwobottomvalleyfolds.

2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproduce

thefollowingdiagram.Mountainfoldasshownatthebottomtwodiagonalsandleavefolded.

3.Lifttoplayerandfoldovertotheleft.

4.Valleyfoldbothbisectors.

5.Valleyfoldwing.

6.Offset-rabbitearfoldthecanardwinglet.

7.Foldalongsameangleasthewing.

8.Foldovertoplayer.

9.Repeatsteps3through8ontheleftside.

10.Valleyfoldrudder.

11.DoubleReversefoldalllayersasindicated.Ithelpstopre-foldalongthedottedlines.Modelshouldcollapse.Ensurebothsidearesymmetrical.

12.Reachunderthefuselageandpulloutthetriangleofpaper(showningray).Youmayhavetoopenupthemodelquiteabit.Squashfoldtherudderalongthe

dotted(hidden)line.

13.Valleyfoldto90degrees.Mountainfoldthewinglets.Repeatonbackside.

14.Makeadjustmentstoconformtothesedrawings.

XB-70Valkyrie

OnlytwoXB-70Valkyrieswerebuilt.ThisMach-3BomberwastobeapartoftheUSstrategicnucleardeliverysystemagainsttheformerSovietUnion.Sadly,afterthedestructionofoneoftheValkyriesduringaphotoshoot(achaseaircraftwassuckedintotheXB-70’senormousvertex)theprogramwascancelledinfavorofICBMmissiles.TheprogrambecamethefoundationfortheB-1Lancer.TheremainingXB-70isondisplayatWright-PattersonAirForceBase,Ohio.ThismodelisdedicatedtoValkyriepilot,FitzhughL.Fulton,Jr.


1.Valleyfold.Unfold.(3foldstotal)

2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsides(Water-BombBase).Mountainfoldasshownatthebottomtwodiagonalsandleavefolded.

3.Lifttoplayerandfoldtotheleft.

ExpandedView

4.Valleyfoldtwodiagonalbisectors.




8.Rabbit-earfoldthewingletalongthedashedline.(Justthetoplayer)

9.Foldthetoplayerontherightsideovertotheright.Thiscreatesthewing.Foldthewingletontheleftdown.

10.Modelshouldlooklikethis.FoldToplayerbacktotherightandgotothe

nextstep.

11.Repeatsteps7—10ontheleftside.

12.Valley-foldalongthepre-foldline.

13.Turnthemodelover.

14.Pulloutpaperandvalley-folddiagonals.

15.Off-setrabbit-earfoldtherudders.Bothsides.

16.Performreversefoldonthecenterofthemodel.Thisisdifficultbecausetherearemanylayers.Rotatethemodeltotheright.

17.Foldupto90degreesalongvalleyfoldline.Repeatonback.

18.Finishmodelbyshapingthenoseandbendingrudderstoperpendicular.EnsurethewingsandwingletsareinalignmentandgivetheXB-70Valkyriea

toss.

RocketRacer

TheRocketRacerideaisthemindspringofthesponsorsoftheX-PrizewhichtheStarShipOnedesignedbyBurtRutanwasabletowinbycreatingaspacecraftthatcouldenterlowearthatmosphereandreturntoaccomplishthesamefeatagainintwoweeks.TheRocketRacersaretobeasortof“NASCAR”race,onlyusingrocketpoweredaircraftinsteadofcars.



2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproducethefollowingdiagram.

3.Valleyfoldandmountainfoldthebottom.Foldrighttopflapovertotheleftside.

4.Valleyfoldthediagonalbisector.

5.Valleyfoldwing.

6.TwistfoldaroundpointA.

7.StretchfoldbypullingdownonPointA,locatedonthebottomlayerintherightcorner.

8.Theresultshouldlooklikethis.Createsmallfoldsonexcesstrailingedgepaperandtuckintopocket.

9.Off-setrabbit-earfoldthewingletsalongthedashedlineonleftandrightside.(Justthetoplayer)

10.Valleyfoldwinglettip(toplayeronly),thevalleyfoldwinglet.

11.Foldovertoplayer.Repeatsteps3-11onleftside.

12.Resultshouldlooklikethis.Turnmodelover.

13.Reversefoldthroughalllayers.

14.Turnsidewaysandvalleyfoldwingsandsideoffuselageto90degrees.Repeatbehind.

15.Holdmiddleandpushupslightly.Refoldalongnewlinescreatingaboxyshapetothefuselage.

16.Foldtipruddersupto90degrees.Shapenoseandtrimtofly.

17.Givehardtoss.

GrummanX-29Experimental

TheGrummanX-29experimentedwithforwardsweptwingstodestabilizetheaircraft.Thisinstabilityhadthepotentialtomaketheaircraftmoremaneuverablethanconventionaldesigns.Theactualairplanerequiredover20sophisticatedcomputerstokeeptheplaneincontrol.Fortunately,yourpapermodelonlyrequiresalittlepatiencetotrim.


1.Valleyfoldalongdashedlines,thenunfold.(3foldstotal)Ileave2orthreemillimetersofpaperontheleadingedge.Idonotfoldquitetothecorner

diagonals.Experimentifyoulikeorjustfolddiagonalstothecornersasnormal.Theonlythingthisaffectsistheamountofplaneontheforwardcanards.


3.Liftonelayerandfoldtotheleft.

ExpandedView

4.Valleyfoldleftdiagonaltothecenter.Valleyfoldrightdiagonaltothecenterwhilepushinguponthebottomflap.

5.Valleyfoldthepieceshownandleavefolded.

6.Simultaneouslyfoldoutfromthecenterandmountainfoldtheleadingedgeofthewing.Thisisatwistingfoldusedtomakethewinggussets.(PivotFold)

7.Liftlayerandreturnittotherightside

8.Repeatsteps3,4,and5ontheleftside.


10.Off-setrabbit-earfoldthewingletalongthedashedline.(Justthetoplayer)

11.Foldthetoplayerontherightsideovertotheright.Foldthewinglettotheleftandasfardownaspossible.

12.Modelshouldlooklikethis.

Foldtoplayerbacktotherightandgotothenextstep.

13.Repeatsteps9—12ontheleftside.

14.Themodelshouldlooklikethefigurebelow.Turnthepaperover.

15.Reversefoldasindicated.Rotatenosetotheleft.

16.Reversefoldtheverticalfinbypullingtipupthroughthefuselage.

17.Valleyfoldwhereindicated.Thenfoldoutto90degrees(horizontal).

18.Foldcanardsasindicatedandtuckundertoplayer.

19.Shapenoseandintakeductsasindicated.

20.Despiteitsunusualappearance,thismodelhasthepotentialtoflyremarkablywell.

F-22Raptor

TheF-22Raptorcanflysupersonicwithoutafterburnersandusesstealthtechnologytoachieveairsuperiority.ItisespeciallyadaptedforSuppressionofEnemyAirDefenses(SEAD)andair-to-aircombat.ItisthenewestadditiontotheUSAirForce,takingtheplaceoftheagingF-15StrikeEagle.

1.Startwith8.5”x11”rectanglecoloredorprinted(orfoil—recommended)sidedown.Valleyfoldalongdashedlines,thenunfold.(6foldstotal)


3.Turnover.

4.Reversefoldoutsidecorners.

ExpandedView

5.Valleyfolddiagonalbisectingangles.Toplayeronly.

6.Liftlayerandmoveittotheleftside.

7.Valleyfoldremaininglayerasshown.

8.Foldleftlayerbacktotheright.

9.Repeatsteps5,6,and7ontheleftside.

10.Theresultshouldlooklikethis.Liftthetoprightlayerandfoldovertotheleft.ThayYangdevelopedabasesimilartothisforhisF-14TomcatinExotic

PaperAirplanes.


12.Precreasethewinginletsbymountainandvalleyfoldingasindicated.Unfold.

13.Modelshouldlooklikethis.Unfoldthissectiontotheright.

14.SpreadopenthewingbyfoldingjustthetoplayerofpointAtoB.

15.Refoldwingasshownalongthecreaselines.

16.Resultshouldlooklikethediagram.Mountainfoldtoplayerofthetrailingedgeandtuck.

17.Valleyfoldandtucktrailingedge(bottomlayer).

18.Valleyfoldtoplayertotheright.

19.Valleyfoldandturnmodelsideways.

20.Modelshouldlooklikethisdiagram.

21.Foldthetinyvalleyfold(grayarea)atthetopfirst.Foldhardalongthelongvalleyfold.

22.Foldupverticalfin/rudder.

23.MountainfoldtoplayerwhilepivotingaroundpointA.Thisproducesavalleyfoldonthebottomlayer.

24.Folddownverticalfin/rudder.

25.Repeatsteps10-24fortheleftside.

26.Reversefoldentirebodythroughalllayers.

27.Mountainfoldthroughalllayersasindicated.

28.Detailsforfinishedaircraftarchitecture.

J-2Experimental

TheJ-2wasJapan’sversionoftheMe-163Germanpointinterceptor.TheJ-2wasmuchlargerandhadtworocketengines(Germanmade)insteadofone,liketheMe-163.ItwastobeusedtodefendthemainislandfromaB-29invasion,however,Japansurrenderedwhilethefirst25J-2swerebeingassembledinsideofacaverncarvedinMountFuji.



2.MountainFoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproducethefollowingdiagram.

3.Valleyfoldandmountainfoldwhereindicated(accordionfold).Lifttoptrianglelayerandfoldtotheleft.

4.Valleyfoldthediagonalbisector.

5.TwistfoldaroundpivotpointA.Lifttoplefttriangleandmovetotheright.

6.Valleyfoldtoplefttriangleonbisector.

7.Foldtoptwolayersovertotherightandrepeatsteps4and5ontheotherside.

8.Theresultshouldlooklikethis.Liftthetoprightlayerandfoldovertotheleft.

9.Off-setrabbit-earfoldthewingletsalongthedashedlineonleftandrightside.(Justthetoplayer)

10.Mountainfoldtoplayereachsidetocreatewinglets.

11.Pivotfoldthebottomofthewingsoneachside.

12.Valley-foldalongthewinglineoneachside.Thissectionmaybecarefullytuckedunderthetoplayertomakeacleanwing.Valleyfoldruddersection.

13.Turnthemodelover.Reversefoldthebodytoformtherudder.

14.Valleyfoldthesidesofbodytomakethewingslevel.Pulloutthepapertrappedinsideverticalfin,thenreversefold.

15.Finishaccordingtothefollowingdrawings.

F-117NIGHTHAWK

Themis-designatedF-117,“F”indicatesa“fighter,”wasactuallyarelativelyslowbomber.ItcouldonlycarrytwoPrecisionGuidedMunitions(PGM)bombsandhadnogunstoprotectitself.Itspowerlaidinitsinvisibilitytoradar.The“F”designationassistedinrecruitingthebestfighterpilotstoflythisseeminglyvulnerablemachine.

1.Startwith8.5”x11”rectanglepaper.Valleyfoldfoldinhalfasshown.

2.Valleyfoldinhalfagain.

3.Valleyfoldinhalfonthediagonal(45degrees)throughonelayer.Repeatonbackside.

4.Liftthetoplayer.

5.Liftcentersectionandsquashfold.

6.Shouldlooklikethis.Unfold.

7.Refoldsothetoplayerandbottomlayeraresymmetric.Thiswillrequireallthebottommountainandvalleypre-foldstobereversed(i.e.ifitisamountainitwillnowbefoldedasavalley.)Thetoplayergetsfoldedbackintoitsoriginal

shape.

Petalfoldtopandbottomasindicated.

8.StretchoutPoint(s)BandtuckPointAallthewayinside.Repeatprocessonthebottom.

9.Reversefoldwingtips.Usedottedlineasguide.

10.Mountainfoldundertoplayerfrompointtopoint(createselevons).

11.Mountainfoldwingsunderasfarastheywillgo.Theedgeswillbesquarewiththerestofthepaper.

12.Turnmodelover.Mountainfoldwingsunder(justtoplayer).

13.Foldmodelinhalf.Andturn1/4.

14.Mountainfoldelevonsandwings.Repeatonbackside.

15.Tuckinruddersbetweentoplayer.Valleyfoldfuselagethroughalllayers.Valleyfoldelevons.Repeatonbackside.

16.Mountainfoldfacetsinfuselage.Mountainfoldwingsunder.(topview)

17.Makesmallreversefoldsonwingtips.

18.Trimupallfoldsforthreedimensionaleffects.

SR-71Blackbird

ThelegendarySR-71Blackbirdsetrecordsforspeedandaltitudeevenasitwasbeingdecommissioned.Itsurvivedmanyyearsofserviceasahigh-altitudereconnaissancevehicleandstillinspiresaweinitsstreamlinefeatures.


1.Valleyfoldalongdashedlines,thenunfold.(3foldstotal)Ileave2orthreemillimetersofpaperontheleadingedge.Youmaywanttojustfoldtothecorner

diagonals.

2.Mountainfoldalongdash-dotline,thenunfoldandpushsidestoproducethefollowingdiagram.Pushuponpre-foldatthebottomandleavefolded.

3.Valleyfoldthetoplayer(leftandright).

ExpandedView

4.Valleyfoldleftdownalongtheedge.

5.Valleyfoldthepieceshownandunfold.

6.Unfoldtoplayer.

7.Valleyfoldleftside,unfold.Repeatontherightside.

8.Usethefoldsfromthepreviousstepstoopentheverytoplayerandextendthefuselage.

9.Theresultshouldlooklikethis.Nextfoldbothrightandleftsidesasshown.

10.Turnthemodelover.

11.Foldandunfoldthelittletriangleinhalf.Thiswillbeusedasamarkerforstep13

12.Foldahalfofthetoplayeratthemarker.

13.Valleyfoldtothetipofthelittletriangle.

14.Valleyfoldbacktolinebackendtothemark.

15.Reversefoldasindicated.

16.Foldtheleadingedgeandunfold.Thedistanceisthesameashalftheshadedtriangle.

17.Unfoldandsinkalongpre-foldsfromwingtiptowingtip.

18.Valleyfoldruddersasindicatedandtuckundertoplayer.Sinkfoldthegraytriangle.

19.Firstpulloutthetrappedpaperfrominsideofthewing.Thenvalleyfoldmidwayofnacelles.

20.Unfoldandrefoldasareversefold.

21.Hereisthestep20enlarged.Repeatonoppositeside.

Openthetriangle(rudder)andrefoldalongthepre-foldlinesasshown.

22.Mountainfoldthroughalllayers(bothrightandleftside).Turnmodelover.

23.Valleyfoldnose(toplayer).Valleyfoldwinglets.

24.Petalfoldthenoseonbothrightandleftsides.

25.Valleyfoldthefuselageattwo-thirdsfromthecenter.Mountainfoldthewingsoutward.

26.Valleyfoldinhalfandgivemodelahalfturn.

27.Valleyfoldfuselageonbothsides(manylayers).

28.Reversefoldthenosesection

29.Smallreversefold.

30.Valleyfoldfuselageinhalfat90degreeangle,repeatbehind.

31.Foldthetipsoftherudderswithreversefold.

32.Crushfoldnacellesbyopeningtheslotsinfrontoftherudders.Youmayinsertapencilorpointedobjecttoassistgettingthemtoopenup.

33.Decoratefinishedmodelasdesired.

WWIIAircraftBase

JU-87Stuka/P-51Mustang/Corsair/Spitfire/ZeroStartwithsquarepapercoloredsideup.Useatleasta10inchsquareforthefirstattempt.Foilsideupifusingfoilpapertoproduceashinymodel.Note:Foilmodelwillretaintheshapebetterandstartingwiththefoilsidedown,ink

markingsmaybeaddedforadditionalrealism.

1.Valleyfoldalonglongdiagonal.

2.Foldtiptotipjustenoughtomarkthecenter.

3.Foldtoptiptocentermarktomarkthe1/4length.

3a.ForStuka,makeadditionalmarksat1/8and3/16thsasshown.Usethe3/16thsmarkforcreatingbase.

4.Unfoldleavingcoloredsidefacingup.

5.Foldedgeto1/4(3/16forStuka)markandunfold.Repeatontopedgeasshown.Unfoldbothedges.

6.Nowre-foldbothedgesatthesametimeandpullresultingpointontheupperrightcornerdowntotherighttolooklikethisdiagram.

7.Squashfoldcorner.

8.Valleyfoldflap.Thiswillendupastheverticalfinandrudder.

9.Foldedgesoutwardalongthevalleyfoldlineandraisetheelevatorstotuckexcessundertheelevatorflaps.

10.Mountainfoldalongcentersasshown.(Expertsmaynowfoldabird-baseandskiptoStep15)

11.Valleyfoldalonglongdiagonalsandallowtheassemblytocollapseintoasquare.Keepruddersideupfacingyou.

12.Performvalleypre-foldsonboththefrontandbackflaps.FoldpointAtopointB.Nowunfoldthefoldsthatyoujustmade.NOTE:Theremanylayerson

thefrontside,sofoldtightandcrisp.

13.Petalfoldfront.Themountainfoldswerethevalleyfoldsoftheprior.Thisisatrickyfoldontherudderside.Allowthepapertocollapsenaturallyaroundthestabilatorassemblyandneatenupalledgestolooklikethediagramin13.

14.Valleyfoldthetipsbacktogether.

15.Modelshouldlooklikethis.Turnthemodelover.

16.Petalfoldthebackside.Thisshouldbemucheasier.

17.Valleyfoldtipbackup.

18.Turnmodel(135degrees)fromthispositiontopositionindiagramin18.

19.Valleyfoldtiponfrontandback.

20.Valleyfolddownatonethirdfromthebaseofhiddentriangle,frontandback.

21.Foldleftrearflaparoundtotherightandfoldrighttopflapovertotheleft.

22.Foldwingtipsup.Frontandback.

23.Foldwingsdownat1/3ofhiddentriangle.Frontandback.

24.Raiseboththefrontendandthebackendwithpinchfolds.Pulloutonthefrontendandmakeitlineupwiththebottomofmodel.Dothesameforthebackendexceptraiseittolineupwiththe1/3markasshownindiagramon25.

25.Reversefoldthefrontendandvalleyfoldtherearoffuselagebothfrontandback.

26.Reversefoldtheleadingedgeofwing.Pulloutaileronflap.Valleyfoldnosesection.Repeatallthreeofthesefoldsonthebackside.

27.Mountaintoldthetrailingedgetomaketheaileronandtuckthecornerintothebottomlayerunderthewing.Repeatbehind.

28.Doasimilarfoldaswiththefrontofthewings.Repeatbehind.Pulloutthehiddentriangleinthefrontandreversefoldtomakenosecone.

29.Valleyfoldthewingsupandallowthevalleyfoldstoformontheleadingandtrailingedges.(Frontandback)Toimprovethefinish,ensurethattheylineup

evenly.

30.Valleyfoldthetinytrianglesuntilthewingsarehorizontal.(FrontandBack)

31.Thickblacklineindicatesprofileviewofwing.Preliminaryfoldcockpitby

valleyfoldasindicated.

32.Spreadsquashfoldthesmallsquaremadebythetopline.Note:Thetoplinewillbemountainfoldedwhilethebottomlineintheabovewillbevalleyfolded(onbothsides).Nowmountainfoldthecenterofthesquarewhilepullingupand

carefullyformthecockpit.

33.PinchfoldrudderbypullingonlyonelayerofpaperupatpointAandlettingitrollalongthefuselage.

34.Formtherudderandelevatorreversefolds.Makethetailwheelbyfoldingundertheremainingwhitetriangle.

35.ThisistheWWIIFighterAircraftBase.FromthispointonthemodelmaybeshapedintoaGermanJu-87Stuka,P-51Mustang,USNavyCorsair,British

SupermarineSpitfire,JapaneseZero,orotherpropellerdriveaircraftofsimilardesign.

GermanJu-87Stuka:Foldthewingsasindicated.Trytomakethefoldssymmetricalaspossiblebypinchingthewingtipsasthesefoldsaremade.Wrapthepapergentlyaroundtheshadedareaonthetail.(Partlyunfoldtokeepfromtearingthepaper)

Finishmodelasshownanddecoratetosuittaste.

USNavyCorsair:roundwingtipsout.Foldthewingsasindicated,butnotcrisply,usesoftfolds.Trytomakethefoldssymmetricalaspossiblebypinchingthewingtipsasthesefoldsaremade.Wraparoundtheshadedareaonthetail.ShapecanopyroundedandsmallerthanStuka.


BritishSupermarineSpitfire:Wrappaperattail(grayarea)sothatitisallonesurface.Roundwingandwingtipsbymakingmanytinymountainfolds.

Finishmodelasshownanddecoratetosuittaste.Notetheaestheticellipticalwing.Thiswillrequirenumeroussmallmountain-foldstoproduceaniceresult.

JapaneseZero:roundwingandwingtips.

Photosofhanddecorated(top)orcomputerskin(bottom).Thisisagoodlookingmodel.


A-10Warthog

TheA-10Warthogwasoriginallydesignedasatankkiller.Nearingitsusefullife,thefirstGulfWarusedtheA-10withPrecisionGuidedMunitions(PGM)andensureditslongtermviabilityasastapleforthenationaldefense.

1.Startwith8.5”x11”rectanglepaper.Colorsidedownfoldandunfoldasshown.

2.Mark1/8divisionsbymountain-foldinginhalvesasshown.Unfoldcompletely.

3.Markthe1/16portionsofthetailandthe3/16marginsfromeachedgeofthesquareasshown.

4.Double-sinkfoldasshown.Notethatthisisatrickyfoldandrequiressomepatience.Besurethattheresultslooklikethediagraminnumber5.

5.Foldlikeanaccordionasshown.Notethatthereisalayerbelowthatwillsoonbethewings.

6.Foldbottomlayeronleftandrightside.Tuckundertoplayer.

7.FoldpointAdowntopointB.thepaperwillinvertalongthepre-folds.

Repeatontherightside.Resultshouldlooklike8.

8.Mountain-foldgrayareasandtuckinside.

9.ReversefoldtheNacelles.Reversefoldthewingtips.

10.Perform4reversefoldsoneachsideofthetail.

11.FoldpointAtopointBbystretchingtop3layersandhangingontothelastlayer’spoint.The4thlayer’spointwillinvertanddisappear.Repeatonleftside.

12.Foldfuselageinhalfandturnmodel.

13.Reversefoldentiretailsection.Folddowntoplayerofnosesection.Repeatonbackside.

14.FoldPointAtoPointBonelevatortoverticalonfrontandback.Mountainfoldthenoseonbothsides.

15.Folddownelevators,frontandback.

16.Folduptip,frontandback.

17.Mountainfoldjusttoplayerwhereshowntomakerudders.Frontandback.

18.Raisewingsto90degreesanddoahalfreversefoldonthenose.

19.Foldupelevatorandfinishasshownin3-Dviews.

HowtoTrim/AirplaneTerms

Trimmingpaperairplanesismuchliketrimmingfull-scaleaircraft.Smalladjustmentstotheedgeofthewingsandstabilator(combinationofrudderandelevator)makebigchangestotheflightpath.Aproperlytrimmedairplanewillflylongerandstraighter.Irecommendyoukeepthewingsorcanardsandtheruddersstraightandneataspossibleandonlyadjusttheelevatorsasshowntocontroltheflightpath.

FurtherStudy/Bibliography

TernBoun,AwesomeOrigamiAircraftModelsoftheWorld’sBestFighters,Victoria,BC,TraffordPublishing,2005.

Excellentaircraft(non-flying).Shouldbemadeoffoilorfoilbackpaper.Unusualpaperdimensions(3:1,3.5:1)longandthin.

PeterEngel,FoldingtheUniverse:OrigamifromAngelfishtoZen,NewYork,VintageBooks,1989.

Unusualstudyintocreativity,chaostheory,andpatterns.Althoughtherearenoaircraft,theanimalsaregreat.Complexdesignsandsquaresheetsonly.

RobertJ.Lang,OrigamiDesignSecrets,Natick,MA,AKPeters,Ltd.,2003.

Remarkablein-depthmathematicalstudyoncreatingorigamidesigns.Squaresonly,noaircraft.

JohnMontroll,OrigamifortheEnthusiast,NewYork,DoverPublications,1988.

Outstandingfolderanddesigntechnique,however,onlyanimalsnoaircraft.Squaresonly.

ThayYang,ExoticPaperAirplanes(1998)andExquisiteInterceptors(2000),FortBragg,CA,CypressHouse.

Excellentbooksonconceptaircraft.Alldesignsare8.5inchesby11inches.

Foradditioninformationontheaircraftandtheirhistory:

DavidDonald,TheCompleteEncyclopediaofWorldAircraft,NewYork,BarnesandNoble,OrbisPublishingLtd.,1997.

JayMiller,TheX-Planes:X-1toX-45,MidlandPublishing,Hinckley,England,2001.

JimWinchester,X-PlanesandPrototypes,NewYork,BarnesandNoble,AmberBooks,Ltd,2005.

Documents

Airigami: Realistic Origami Aircraft