The Most Difficult Paper Airplane to Make, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the paper airplane you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:25
Many enthusiasts have found themselves folding paper in attempts to create intricate airplanes, only to face challenges that belie their seemingly simple components. Determining which designs are the most demanding can provide valuable insights for those looking to refine their craft or push the boundaries of paper aviation. By ranking the most difficult paper airplanes, builders of all skill levels can gauge the complexity and perhaps set personal challenges to master them.
This interactive list allows users to contribute their experiences by voting for paper airplane designs they find the most challenging. The rankings are continuously updated based on user input, offering a dynamic and community-driven guide to the toughest designs out there. Whether you are a seasoned paper airplane maker or a curious novice, your votes help create a valuable resource for anyone interested in the art of paper airplane construction.
What Is the Most Difficult Paper Airplane to Make?
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168votes
Nakamura lock
Yoshinori NakamuraThis design features a complex locking mechanism that requires precise folds and attention to detail. It also requires a larger sheet of paper.The Nakamura lock is a complex paper airplane folding technique that creates a unique locking mechanism to improve stability and aerodynamics. It is considered one of the most challenging paper airplanes to construct.- Stability: High
- Maneuverability: Moderate
- Speed: Average
- Wing Span: Approximately 20 cm
- Fuselage Length: Approximately 30 cm
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230votesThe boomerang paper airplane requires specific folds and a good flick of the wrist to get it to return.The Boomerang is a highly challenging paper airplane design that features a unique wing shape and flight pattern. When thrown correctly, it can perform a remarkable looping and returning flight trajectory.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Wing Span: 25 cm
- Weight: 5 grams
- Construction Material: Paper
- Folded Thickness: 1.5 cm
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326votes
The Phoenix
John CollinsThis design requires many intricate folds and a lot of patience to get right. It also features a unique shape that can be challenging to achieve.The Phoenix is a highly advanced and challenging paper airplane design that pushes the limits of aerodynamics and precision folding. It is renowned for its unique shape and ability to soar through the air with exceptional speed and stability.- Wingspan: 12 inches
- Length: 9 inches
- Weight: 5 grams
- Material: Standard letter paper
- Number of folds: 32
The Phoenix in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most impressive origami creation
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415votes
The Starship
John CollinsThis design features a unique shape with wings that can be difficult to fold correctly. It's also a larger paper airplane that requires a steady hand.The Starship is an incredibly challenging paper airplane design that pushes the boundaries of aerodynamics and complexity. It is known for its unique shape and unconventional folding techniques, making it one of the most difficult paper airplanes to construct and fly.- Wingspan: 35 cm
- Length: 40 cm
- Weight: 8 grams
- Flight Range: 30 meters
- Max Speed: 60 km/h
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58votes
Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 4.0This design features multiple folds that must be executed precisely to achieve the final shape. It's also a more advanced design that requires some experience with paper airplanes.The Harrier is an incredibly challenging paper airplane design that is known for its unique and intricate folding techniques. It is considered one of the most difficult paper airplanes to make due to its complex design and precise folding instructions.- Wingspan: 15 centimeters
- Length: 20 centimeters
- Weight: 3 grams
- Recommended Paper Type: Thin and lightweight paper
- Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: High
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67votes
The Flying Squirrel
John SmithThis design is known for its complex folds and unique shape. It requires attention to detail and patience to get it just right.The Flying Squirrel is a highly advanced and incredibly difficult paper airplane design. It is known for its unique folding techniques and futuristic shape, resembling a flying squirrel gliding through the air. This design pushes the boundaries of what is possible with a paper airplane and requires great skill and patience to construct.- Wingspan: 25cm
- Length: 30cm
- Weight: 5g
- Folding difficulty: Expert
- Flight duration: 10-15 seconds
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75votes
Alun Williams333 · CC BY-SA 4.0The Swallow
John CollinsThis design features multiple folds and a unique shape that can be challenging to achieve. It also requires a larger sheet of paper.The Swallow is a highly intricate and challenging paper airplane design known for its speed, stability, and unique wing shape.- Wing Span: 10 inches
- Wing Area: 50 square inches
- Aerodynamic Profile: Swept-wing
- Fuselage Length: 7 inches
- Weight: 6 grams
The Swallow in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular paper airplane
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82votesThis design requires precise folds and attention to detail to achieve the final shape. It's also a smaller paper airplane that can be more challenging to fold.The Bulldog Dart is a complex and challenging paper airplane design known for its unique shape and impressive flight performance. It requires precision in folding and careful adjustments to achieve optimal results.
- Wingspan: 15 cm
- Length: 20 cm
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Flight stability: High
- Speed: Fast
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99votes
The Hammerhead
John CollinsThis design features a unique shape with a pointed nose and wings that can be challenging to fold correctly. It also requires a larger sheet of paper.The Hammerhead is an intricate and complex paper airplane design that challenges even the most skilled paper aircraft enthusiasts. Its unique construction and aerodynamic features make it one of the most challenging and advanced paper airplanes to create and fly.- Wingspan: 24 centimeters
- Length: 28 centimeters
- Weight: 4 grams
- Complexity Level: 5 out of 5
- Flight Range: 35-40 meters
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102votes
The Thunderbird
Jason R. BurtonThis design features multiple folds and a unique shape that can be challenging to achieve. It also requires a larger sheet of paper.The Thunderbird is a highly advanced and intricate paper airplane design that challenges even experienced paper crafters. It is known for its unique and aggressive look, resembling the fierce mythical creature it is named after. This paper airplane is not for the faint-hearted, as it requires precision and skill to construct.- Wingspan: 25 cm
- Length: 30 cm
- Weight: 5 grams
- Complexity Level: Expert
- Flight Range: 30 meters
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Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult paper airplane
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Complexity of the folding processThis includes the number of steps involved, as well as how intricate or challenging each step is. A difficult paper airplane model may require numerous folds, and the accuracy of these folds can greatly impact the final result.
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Understanding of folding techniquesSome paper airplanes require advanced folding techniques that can be tricky for beginners to grasp. These might include reverse folds, squash folds, or complex pleats and structures.
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Precision and accuracyHigh levels of accuracy in folding are crucial for creating a well-balanced and aerodynamically sound paper airplane. Difficult models often require precise folds and alignments.
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Size and type of paperSome paper airplanes are designed to be made with specific types and sizes of paper. Difficulty can increase if the airplane requires a paper type that is not readily available or if it requires multiple sheets of paper to be combined.
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Stability and flight performanceA successful paper airplane not only looks good but also performs well in flight. Complex designs may be more challenging to balance and fine-tune, resulting in a more difficult building process.
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AssemblyDifficulty can also be determined by whether additional steps are required after folding, such as assembling multiple folded pieces or adding extra components like weights or stabilizers.
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Instructions and diagramsClear, easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams can make a significant difference in the overall difficulty level of making a paper airplane. Complex or ambiguous instructions can make even a simple design seem more challenging.
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Experience levelThe difficulty of a paper airplane design can be subjective, depending on the experience and skill level of the person attempting to make it. For a beginner, even a relatively simple design can pose challenges, while a more experienced folder may be able to tackle complex designs with relative ease.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult paper airplane to make. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or paper airplane is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2634 views
- 156 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each paper airplane once every 24 hours. The rank of each paper airplane is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most difficult paper airplane to make
Paper airplanes have been popular among children and adults alike for decades. They are a simple and affordable way to have fun and engage in some friendly competition. However, not all paper airplanes are created equal, and some are notoriously difficult to make. From intricate folds to complicated designs, there are a variety of factors that can make creating the perfect paper airplane a true challenge. With so many different options out there, it can be tough to determine which paper airplane truly reigns supreme as the most difficult to make. Luckily, StrawPoll offers a platform for users to vote on their favorite paper airplane designs and rank them based on their level of difficulty. So, whether you're a seasoned paper airplane pro or a newcomer to the craft, be sure to check out the results and see if your favorite design made the cut.
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