// FLIGHT MANUAL — MEDIUM DIFFICULTY

The Swallow

9 STEPS — ~5 MINUTES — A4 PAPER

This is a paper airplane my father was making when he was a small boy and the design has stood the test of time — it works very well. Throw it vertically upward and watch it circle and soar like a real swallow.

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The Swallow Paper Plane - finished paper airplane

THE SWALLOW — COMPLETED

// VIDEO GUIDE

// STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 01

Cut the tail out (see label on DIG. 1) and fold along the diagonal line, creasing well.

STEP 02

Now fold along the diagonal line on DIG. 2, creasing well.

STEP 03

Now it should look like DIG. 3.

STEP 04

Fold along the center line labelled “fold here” in DIG. 4 and unfold.

STEP 05

Push in from the sides of the line folded in the above step. This will make the shape in DIG. 5. See 2:14 in the video.

STEP 06

Fold the flaps over to form DIG. 6.

STEP 07

Fold along the dark grey lines in DIG. 7. See 2:47 in the video.

STEP 08

Fold it together as in DIG. 8. This is complicated — the video at 3:45 helps a lot. Place the tail so the angle at the end is pressed right up into the nose.

STEP 09

Fold where the dotted line is in DIG. 9, under the wing, trapping the tail in place.

// HOW TO FLY

The Swallow is one of my favourites to fly — even the first time you make it you’ll get it to do some kind of stunt without intending to.

Throw it holding the nose on the side where the tail tucks into the wings. Then throw it vertically upward as hard as you can. You’ll find that it circles downwards.

If you have a large area and a windy day it can go a very long way — soaring and diving like a real swallow. Try having competitions with your friends to see who can keep their airplane up longest.

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Design Final – The Swallow