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.
VIDEO GUIDE
FOLDING INSTRUCTIONS // 9 STEPS
Step 1
Cut the tail out (see label on DIG. 1) and fold along the diagonal line creasing well.
Step 2
Now fold along the diagonal line on DIG. 2 creasing well.
Step 3
Now it should look like DIG. 3
Step 4
Now fold along the center line labelled “fold here” in DIG. 4 and unfold.
Step 5
Then push in from the sides of the line folded in the above step. This will make the shape in DIG. 5 and is at 2:14 in the video.
Step 6
Fold the flaps over to form DIG. 6
Step 7
Now fold along the dark grey lines in DIG. 7. See 2:47 in the video.
Step 8
Now fold it together as in DIG. 8. This is complicated, the video at 3:45 helps a lot. Place the tail so that the angle at the end is pressed right up into the nose.
Step 9
Now fold where the dotted line is in DIG. 9 under the wing trapping the tail in place.
FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
The Swallow is one of my favourites to fly since even the first time you make it you will get it to do some kind of stunt without intending to.
Throw the Swallow holding it at the nose on the side where the tail tucks into the wings. Then throw it vertically upward as hard as you can. You will find that it will circle downwards.
If you have a large area and a windy day you will find that it can go a very long way and can soar and dive like a real swallow. This is a really fun paper airplane. You could have competitions with your friends to see who can keep their paper airplane up longest.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
- Sabretooth — Flies fantastically thrown straight up or as a normal glider
- Flying Fish — One tricky fold but flies brilliantly in a straight line
- Dragon — Alex’s own design — flies fast and level for 30 metres
- Cobra — Alex’s own design — flies straight and fast, amazing to watch
© Alex Schultz — paperairplanes.co.uk — Making paper airplanes since the 1990s
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