How to Make the Simple Vulcan Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and versatile, the Simple Vulcan is an improved and simplified version of the original Vulcan, featuring a modified canard design for better performance. The two have such extensive commonality that conversions are possible, and their differences cannot be told apart from above.

Following the tremendous success of the Super StratoVulcan, I decided a new Vulcan variant was in order. I had come to the realization that while the Vulcan family displayed great performance, it also posed much complexity, which may hinder newer origami aviators. To deal with this challenge, I decided to design a new variant with capabilities similar to the rest, but using a configuration that would be much simpler to make. Eventually, an improved version of the original Vulcan was prototyped and found to be successful, with its flights being just as excellent; and it was soon allotted a slot for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F292-8

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Pencil
Ruler
Optional:
Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Take your paper and fold it along its length. Then pull the corners in and fold them into the center. Then flip the paper over and pull the creases of the corner folds inward.

Pull the corner folds inward as shown. Then pull the tip of the nose downward along the edges of the paper. Once you have made the nose blunt as shown, pull the blunt edge down to the trailing edge on the side with the airfoils. Measure 1 inch inward from the crease on the outer side and make a mark. Then pull the paper back forward, and crease at this 1 inch mark. After this is done, open the nose fold as shown, then make the folds as pictured. Tuck these folds into themselves, then into the nose flap as you fold it back down again.

Fold your paper airplane in half along its center. Measure 1 inch upwards along the trailing edge from the center crease and 1 inch inwards from the wingtip along the trailing edge. Fold the canards down as shown, aligning its leading edge with the fuselage to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Once you have done this, fold the wings down at the 1 inch mark you made previously. After this has been completed, fold each winglet at the 1 inch point you made previously.

Apply tape to the nose above and below the canard, as well as to the LERX-wing joint. Then apply tape to the rear of the fuselage and over the wing root near the trailing edge. Once this has been done, apply tape to the canard folds to secure them to the fuselage. This will complete your Vulcan.

While configured similarly to the Vulcan, the Simple Vulcan does perform differently in some ways. The Simple Vulcan should be launched at a neutral or positive attitude at a moderate to high speed. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, slats, flaperons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!