2D diagram
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How to make a canard-delta paper airplane

Canard-Delta Paper Airplane: try all 7 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

EasyAn Origami Tutor design7 steps8.5 × 11 in · One rectangle

An Origami Tutor canard-delta paper airplane: a large triangular delta wing at the back and a small delta canard ahead of it, cut out of one sheet. Both pairs open above a narrow keel. Flight performance has not been tested.

You need
One sheet of letter paper (A4 works too) and scissors.
Start
Lay a sheet of letter paper in front of you, short edge at the top. You will also need scissors.
Tips
  • Cut the two sides alike: a plane with one smaller wing rolls toward it.
  • If the nose dives, bend the back edges of the delta wing up a little.
Symbols, bases & terms ↗
Finish

Your model is ready

Hold the narrow keel under the delta wing and try a gentle, level launch. Keep the left and right wing angles equal.

3D paper
7 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Step-by-step diagrams

Valley fold Mountain fold Color side White side
  1. 1

    Cut the left side

    Start in the top edge about an inch left of the middle. Cut straight down for two inches. Cut out and down to a point three inches left of the middle and four inches from the top, then back in to the strip, half an inch lower. Cut straight down another inch, then out and down to the left edge, an inch above the bottom corner. Throw the left scrap away.

  2. 2

    Cut the right side

    Cut the right side the same way, the mirror image of the left.

  3. 3

    Crease the middle

    Fold the paper in half from left to right, crease it sharply, and open it again.

  4. 4

    Fold in half

    Fold the plane in half along the center crease.

  5. 5

    Fold the first wings down

    Fold the top pair of wings, canard and delta together, down along the line where the body strip ends, all the way from the nose to the back.

  6. 6

    Fold the other wings behind

    Fold the other pair of wings back along the same line, so they match the first.

  7. 7

    Spread both wing pairs

    Open the small front wings and large rear wings away from the keel together. Leave the two sides even, with the tips a little above the roots. Then turn the plane upright, keel below.

  8. ✓

    Finish

    Hold the narrow keel under the delta wing and try a gentle, level launch. Keep the left and right wing angles equal.