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Nakamura lock template

Two pages on A4. The first is the sheet you fold: every crease, numbered in order. The second shows each step. Print at 100% (“actual size”), then fold the first page along its lines, printed side up to start.

Or fold it along on the page

1234568911Nakamura lockFold along the lines in number order, this side up to start.Steps on the next page · paperplanejoy.com

Paper Plane Academy · Steady

How to fold the Nakamura lock

11 folds · a little fiddly · one sheet of A4

Named after Eiji Nakamura, famous for his paper plane creations. The little point folded up over its nose locks all its folds in place.

  1. 1

    Fold the top left corner to the middle.

  2. 2

    And the other one.

  3. 3

    Fold the top down, where the folds end.

  4. 4

    The new corners to the middle, short of a point: keep the top flat.

  5. 5

    And the other one.

  6. 6

    Now fold the little point up over them: that’s the lock.

  7. 7

    Turn it over.

  8. 8

    Fold it in half along the middle.

  9. 9

    Fold the wing down, along the keel.

  10. 10

    Turn it over.

  11. 11

    And fold the other wing to match.

  12. ✓

    Open the wings out, level with the keel, and throw it gently, straight ahead.

Crease it sharp. Line the edges up exactly, then run a fingernail along each fold.

If it dives, bend the back edges of the wings up a little.

If the nose rises, then drops, it’s stalling: bend the back edges down a little.