Build the Atreides Royal Ornithopter from Dune – Free 2024 Papercraft Template

31 Jul, 2025

If you’re a fan of Dune and love papercraft, your next project just landed: the 2024 Atreides Royal Ornithopter Papermodel. This detailed, free-to-download paper replica captures the sleek design and military elegance of the iconic flying machine used by House Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films.

Whether you're a long-time model builder or new to papercrafting, this is a must-add to your collection. Here's everything you need to know to download, build, and display your own Atreides Royal Ornithopter papermodel.

🛩️ What Is the Atreides Royal Ornithopter?

In the world of Dune, ornithopters—or “’thopters”—are the primary mode of aerial transportation. Unlike helicopters or planes, these machines mimic the flapping wings of birds or insects, resulting in a striking, otherworldly flight style. The Royal Ornithopter is a specialized, elite version used by House Atreides. It’s heavily armored, fast, and looks like it was designed to dominate both the battlefield and the skies.

The 2021 and 2024 Dune films introduced audiences to a new, brutalist take on sci-fi vehicles, and the Atreides Ornithopter quickly became a fan favorite. Its angular wings, dragonfly-like motion, and dark, stealthy appearance made it iconic.

Now, you can bring that design into your own hands—literally—with this downloadable papercraft model.

📦 Download the Free Ornithopter Papercraft Template

To get started, download the official papermodel template here:

👉 Download Template

This zip file includes:

Printable papercraft parts in high-resolution PDF format
Assembly instructions
Suggested tools and materials list
Reference images for more accurate construction

Make sure you have access to a printer (preferably color and high-quality), a hobby knife or scissors, glue, and a bit of patience.

🛠️ What You’ll Need to Build the Ornithopter

Here’s what you’ll need on your workbench:

High-quality printer (preferably laser or inkjet with photo paper support)
Glossy or matte cardstock paper (180-220gsm recommended)
Precision cutting tools (X-Acto knife, fine scissors)
Ruler and scoring tool for folding clean edges
Craft glue or tacky glue (avoid hot glue for this one)
Tweezers or paper clips for fine positioning
Optional: Black marker to color the edges and keep the seams invisible

✂️ Build Experience: Intermediate to Advanced

This is not a simple cube-shaped model—it’s detailed, intricate, and demands attention to alignment and scoring. The papermodel captures the foldable wing mechanics and the sleek cockpit design of the original Atreides 'thopter.

If you’ve built Gundam papercraft, Warhammer terrain, or aircraft models before, you’ll feel right at home. If you're a beginner, take your time, study the instruction diagrams carefully, and don’t rush the folds. The result will be worth it.

🖼️ Display and Customization Ideas

Once built, this model makes an excellent desk display, bookshelf accent, or gift for a fellow Dune fan. You can also:

Mount it on a small base to simulate flight
Use transparent acrylic rods for a floating effect
Paint or airbrush certain parts for extra realism
Add LED lights inside the cockpit for a cinematic look

This model is approximately 1:48 scale but can be resized in your print settings to create larger or smaller versions.

🔍 Why This Papercraft Stands Out

What makes this particular Atreides Royal Ornithopter papermodel special?

Screen-accurate detailing: Modeled after the 2024 version seen in Dune: Part Two
Free to download: No paywalls, no gimmicks
Highly poseable: Wing positions can be displayed open or closed
Minimal tools required: All you need is paper, glue, and patience
Perfect for fans, collectors, and educators interested in sci-fi design

This model is also a fantastic conversation starter, especially for fans who appreciate the engineering realism Villeneuve brought to the Dune universe.

📣 Final Thoughts

The 2024 Atreides Royal Ornithopter Papermodel is more than just a DIY project—it’s a tribute to one of science fiction’s most visually compelling machines. Whether you’re a fan of Dune, a papercraft hobbyist, or a model collector, this build will challenge and reward you.

✅ It’s free.
✅ It’s screen-accurate.
✅ It looks incredible on display.

Ready to fly?
👉 Download the Ornithopter Template Now and bring the skies of Arrakis into your living room.