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Old 12th Mar 2023, 05:42
  #39 (permalink)  
Dora-9
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE Qld, Australia
Age: 77
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RVW had an enlarged rudder,
Going through my photos, at some stage of their later careers VH-RVV, -RVW, -RVY and -RVZ all sported broad-chord rudders, immediately identifiable by the distinct kink at the lower trailing edge. I doubt this was specifically fitted for glider towing, the stated purpose was to improve rudder authority during crosswind take-offs & landings and aerobatics (despite what some pundits claim, this had nothing to do with improving spin recovery).

To put this in historical context, although the broad-chord rudder was trialled and approved in 1951, all of the RAF's Chipmunks were delivered by 1953 with the narrow chord rudder - the bigger rudder was then supplied as a retrofit item. However, by this stage a large proportion of the RAF Chipmunk fleet were already ear-marked for disposal; these aircraft never received the retrofit rudder. Hence, the entire RVAC Chipmunk fleet, all ex RAF aircraft, had the narrow rudder with just the handful listed above eventually getting the broad-chord version.
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