The paper airplane is the symbol for grade school troublemakers everywhere, but it really seems like child's play next to its mean-spirited, painful counterpart: the hornet.Hornets are made by folding strips of paper so that they can be shot at.Learning to make and launch paper hornets is easy if you want to revenge for an earlier prank, try to get a friend's attention, or arm yourself for all-out paper warfare.You just need a piece of notebook paper, a rubber band, and a streak of silliness in you.
Step 1: A piece of paper.
You can find the first piece of paper by grabbing it.Hornets are usually made from a standard sheet of notebook paper, but you could also use a Post-It note, candy wrapper, magazine page, etc.If you have anything that can be folded up, it will do the trick.Hornets can be made out of almost any foldable material you can find.If you don't have normal paper, get creative.Heavy and glossy paper will increase the distance and impact you can achieve.
Step 2: The paper can be torn into a thin strip.
Cut or tear your paper source into a strip.If you are in a hurry, use scissors or tear with your hands.The strip of paper is about 20 cm long and 1 to 1.5 cm wide.Cleaning the paper with your fingernails will result in cleaner edges.You can fashion several hornets at a time by tearing the paper into strips.
Step 3: Take the strip of paper and fold it.
Take a strip of paper and make a few folds along its length.You can either fold the strip into thirds or double it in half so that it becomes compact.The harder it will hit, the more times you fold.The idea is to keep the hornet the same width as the original strip of paper while folding it down to reduce its surface area.
Step 4: Put the paper up tight.
You can roll the strip of paper into a tube instead of folding it.Some people prefer to roll hornets so that they don't have to make many folds.Rolling the paper before folding it allows the hornet to shoot better.Rolling your hornets can save you a lot of time.hornets hurt a lot more when they are made using this method.
Step 5: The paper should be folded in a diagonal fashion.
When the paper has been folded or rolled, fold it in half.Make sure both ends of the paper line up.It should be folded in half again.The size of the original paper, as well as your strength and patience, will determine the number of times you can fold the hornet.Keep folding until you have a V-shaped projectile that is 2.5 cm long and tightly packed.You can reinforce the hornet by wrapping it in duct or electrical tape.The tape will give it more heft and keep it from losing its shape.This is not as heavy-duty as hornets.The paper will become denser as you fold it.It will sail like a dream because of the reduced size and added density.
Step 6: Search for a rubber band.
You can use a rubber band to fire a hornet.Any type of rubber band will work as long as it isn't too small or brittle.Try to stretch the rubber band as far as you can.A longer shot is achieved by more stretch.If you can get one of the thick, colorful bands used to secure the stalks of produce at grocery stores, you will get the best results.The rubber bands that are old, dry or show signs of wear and tear are prone to snapping.If it hit you in the face or eyes it would be bad news.
Step 7: Wrap the rubber band around your thumb and forefinger.
The rubber band should be placed over your thumb and pointer finger.You will use your hand like a slingshot to launch the hornet.Put the rubber band on your hand so that it doesn't move.When you pull the hornet back, keep your fingers braced firmly.
Step 8: The rubber band will fit the hornet.
You can grab the hornet with your hand.The ends of the hornet should be pointing straight up and down if the center crease is Aligned horizontally with the rubber band.If you attempt to shoot the paper, make sure it is neatly folded.The hornet may not shoot straight if the last fold is not perfect.
Step 9: Pull the hornet back.
Take the ends of the hornet and pinch them together.The rubber band should be enclosing by the hornet, with the crease grabbing both strands for maximum power.When the rubber band is at full tension, draw back the hornet.The rubber band could snap if you pull it back too far.
Step 10: Release and aim.
You can see where you want to place your shot by looking between your thumb and forefinger.When you let go of the hornet, keep your palm facing upwards so that it doesn't hit the webbing of your hand.Let your target fly when you have zeroed in on it.Before you put your hornets into action, try to get in a little target practice.Keeping from dulling your shot, release the hornet in one quick motion.Hornets pack a wallop when they are launched at high speeds.There is a real risk of injury if a hornet hit someone in the face.