diff --git a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/main/ExampleDesignFileAction.java b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/main/ExampleDesignFileAction.java
index 6fc0f39a2..712164a1d 100644
--- a/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/main/ExampleDesignFileAction.java
+++ b/swing/src/net/sf/openrocket/gui/main/ExampleDesignFileAction.java
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package net.sf.openrocket.gui.main;
 
 import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
 
 import javax.swing.AbstractAction;
 import javax.swing.Action;
@@ -18,6 +20,35 @@ public final class ExampleDesignFileAction extends JMenu {
      */
     private final BasicFrame parent;
 
+    /**
+     * Order in which the example files should be displayed in the menu.
+     * A null items means there should be a separator.
+     * <p>
+     * NOTE: update this list if you add a new example file, or update the name of an existing one!!.
+     */
+    private static final String[] exampleFileOrder = {
+        // Examples of basic rockets
+        "A simple model rocket",
+        "A staged rocket",
+        "A three-stage rocket",
+        "A trial TARC payload rocket",
+        "A tube fin rocket",
+        null,
+        // Examples demonstrating complex rocket features
+        "Airstart timing",
+        "Chute release deployment",
+        "Dual recovery deployment",
+        "Motor cluster",
+        "Parallel booster staging",
+        "Pods--airframes and winglets",
+        "Pods--powered with recovery deployment",
+        null,
+        // Examples demonstrating customized functionality
+        "Presets",
+        "Simulation extensions ",
+        "Simulation extensions and scripting"
+    };
+
     /**
      * Constructor.
      *
@@ -38,11 +69,37 @@ public final class ExampleDesignFileAction extends JMenu {
     private void updateMenu() {
         removeAll();
         ExampleDesignFile[] examples = ExampleDesignFile.getExampleDesigns();
+        List<JMenuItem> itemList = new ArrayList<>();
+
+        // First create the menu items
         for (ExampleDesignFile file : examples) {
             Action action = createAction(file);
             action.putValue(Action.NAME, file.toString());
             JMenuItem menuItem = new JMenuItem(action);
-            add(menuItem);
+            itemList.add(menuItem);
+        }
+
+        // Then add them according to their order
+        for (String s : exampleFileOrder) {
+            if (s == null) {
+                addSeparator();
+            } else {
+                for (JMenuItem item : itemList) {
+                    if (item.getText().equals(s)) {
+                        add(item);
+                        itemList.remove(item);
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Add the remaining (unordered) items to the end
+        if (itemList.size() > 0) {
+            addSeparator();
+            for (JMenuItem item : itemList) {
+                add(item);
+            }
         }
     }