in

How to Make the Raijin Paper Airplane – Grand Prize Winner

How to Make the Raijin Paper Airplane - Grand Prize Winner

Are you ready to take your paper airplane skills to the next level? Then you need to learn how to make the Raijin! This incredible aircraft was the grand prize winner in the 2023 Foldable Flight Paper Airplane Designer Contest, and it's easy to see why. The Raijin is not only easy to build, but it can also soar over 100 feet!

This tutorial will guide you through the steps of making your own Raijin paper airplane. Let's get started!

Materials You'll Need

  • One sheet of standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper (letter size)

Instructions

  1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Make sure the crease is sharp and crisp.
  2. Fold the top corners down to the crease. The corners should meet in the center of the paper.
  3. Fold the top flap down. The flap should be about one-third of the total length of the paper.
  4. Fold the bottom flap up. The flap should meet the top flap.
  5. Fold the wings down. Fold the paper in half again, along the crease you made in step 1. The wings should be on the outside of the fold.
  6. Fold the tail flaps up. Fold the bottom two corners of the paper up to create the tail flaps.
  7. Adjust the wings. You can adjust the angle of the wings to fine-tune the flight characteristics of your Raijin.

Tips for Flying the Raijin

  • Use a smooth, underhand throw. A gentle toss is all it takes to launch the Raijin.
  • Experiment with different launch angles. You can adjust the angle at which you throw the airplane to change its flight path.
  • Adjust the wings for better performance. If you find that your Raijin isn't flying as well as you'd like, try tweaking the angle of the wings.

The Raijin's History

The Raijin was designed by David DeAngelo, a paper airplane enthusiast from the United States. It was inspired by the Japanese god of thunder, Raijin, who is often depicted with a drum. The design of the Raijin incorporates a number of unique features that contribute to its impressive flight characteristics, including its long, narrow wings and its aerodynamic tail.

Conclusion

The Raijin is a truly remarkable paper airplane. It's easy to make, flies incredibly far, and is sure to impress your friends. So what are you waiting for? Grab a sheet of paper and get started making your own Raijin today!