High Performance Paper Airplanes: G-1
I’ve played around with laminated paper airplanes some and now that I have a webpage I can finally post some of my designs for download. This is a pretty cheap hobby. The plans are free and you just cut them out and glue them together. The only thing most people won’t already have around the house is heavy paper.
This isn’t the kind of airplane we all used to fold in school. It is made from heavy cardstock, using many laminated layers for strength. Properly adjusted and thrown it can fly a long ways. I would suggest going to a large open space, like a park, to test it out. When I flew it from my driveway I ended up retrieving it from my neighbor’s yards most of the time.
Materials you will need:
- Heavy card stock. This is a thick paper, like 3×5 index cards. You can buy it at office supply stores.
- Scissors
- Glue. Plain white glue works well. I apply it using a small paintbrush.
- Something to score the paper with before folding. A ball-point pen will work, but will leave marks. I use the tip of the nailfile on my pocketknife. To score the paper carefully run your scoring tool along the fold line while pushing down. This will push a line into the paper and help it fold where you want. Use a ruler to get straight lines.
- A heavy stack of books to put the pieces under as the glue sets. Put apiece of paper above and below the pieces so excess glue doesn’t get on the books
Download G-1 plans (rev. 2):
Once you have downloaded the plans print them out on heavy paper. Follow the directions to construct the plane. Once the plane is finished let it dry overnight. Then look here to see how to tune and fly your plane.
If you are interested in this sort of thing you might want to check out some of the Whitewings kits. That’s where I got my start from. Their designs are much more elegant than mine, and at least the kit I have came with a very nice booklet containing construction and flying tips.
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:54 pm
When I was a young boy (approx 1975) I checked out a book from the library that was full of laminated airplane plans.
Do you have any idea what the book name would be?
I’m trying to locate it.
Thanks
Jeff
December 4th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I’m not sure. I have one almost as old, from 1985, called THE Paper Airplane Book: The Official Book of the Second Great International Airplane Contest, by the editors of Science 86. ISBN 0-394-74305-9. It has a black cover with (surprise) photos of paper airplanes. This first half covers the winners of the contest, the second half contains plans for some of the planes.
Hope that helps
September 15th, 2007 at 2:37 am
Hi!Your model is really helpful for my project on gliders.Thanks a ton.
Can I use greeting card paper for construction?
Also,could you suggest some modifications to change line of flight,time aloft etc?Thanks again!
September 16th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Hi Art,
Yes, I assume greeting card paper would probably work for construction. I’m not sure if the glue would stick well to a glossary surface though (but it would be easy for you to try it and find out). Basic modifications are simply warping the flying surfaces slightly to change how the plane flies. I describe that a little here: http://zovirl.com/2004/01/15/airplane-tuneup-and-flying/. You can also try adjusting the center of gravity by adding/removing weight from the nose of the plane.
If you are talking about modifying the design, I would suggest that you try to track down a whitewings kit. The one I have came with a booklet with some tips on how to design planes from scratch, and how to alter the dimensions to get different results.
October 18th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Great design! We built it and were amazed at how it flew. My son is working on a science investigation project that will involve this design.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:17 am
made one with my daughter as a christmas gift for my other daughter - flies beautifully - thank you.
April 18th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This kind of hobby is very nice for kids, and for us too. When I was a little guy, I participated in Paper Airplane Races. That was huge fun. Now I play with the Big Ones, that´s fun too.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:32 am
You should put the instuctions on this page, I have a science project and I don’t know how to make paper gliders. But of course I can’t find anything on google. Please help me the science fair in May 1st and if I don’t find anything I have to change my project!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Antonio, the instructions are included in the plans, so if you download & print out the plans (linked to above) then you’ll also have the instructions. Good luck with the science fair, come back and let us know how it goes!
May 6th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Thanks for the plans ! Have actually made some of the planes out of very thin styrofoam and they fly pretty well…
Now I just need to find a high enough building !
May 8th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
this is awesome!!!!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
the G-1 is awesome , are you going to design any more models similar to it