Getting a catapult launched paper airplane to fly like a catapult launched balsa glider would be really incredible, even better if you could get it to thermal.
I stumbled upon a paper airplane book at the thrift store titled: THE ULTIMATE PAPER AIRPLANE by Richard Kline, with seven different paper airplanes to choose from with patterns and folding instructions, all for $4, How could I resist.
Check out this 1973 article. The Paper-Plane Caper which describes its unique airfoil.
"Instead of being curved like most airfoils, Kline's wing is completely flat, at least on top. From the leading edge to almost halfway back, the cross section of the wing gradually thickens into a wedge. Then, the underside sweeps abruptly upward. It is this step that apparently gives the design its advantage over conventional airfoils."
https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,907054-1,00.html After folding all the different paper airplane designs, I combined the the Voyager, It wasn't looping as much like the others, and the Sting Ray, which has the step on the underside of the wing. With a little modification on some of the folds and bending the paperclip nose weight leg into a catapult launching hook. Now I'm finally folding a catapult paper glider that is showing real performance. High launches with a flip out transition into a flat glide, although the glide is faster than I would like. There's still some room for improvement, but I am getting the glider to thermal occasionally.
Trying to explain how to fold the paper glider without writing a book like Mr. Klein did (126 pages) is going to be a challenge. You could buy a used copy of Richard Kline's book online for about 4 dollars plus shipping. Or if there's enough interest, I could make an attempt at describing the guidelines and folding the glider in written form with a few photographs thrown in for clarification.
Tell us about your favorite paper airplane.
Bob
