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Old 25th January 2009 | 09:14
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rotorfossil
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Norfolk
Vertical tail surfaces

In reports of flight testing and development over the years from the First World War to the present day, there is a continuous thread of aircraft requiring enlargement of the vertical tail surfaces following initial prototype testing. Aircraft continue to sprout dorsal/ventral fins etc to this day and yet I haven't heard or read of any that have needed a reduction in vertical surface area. Why the reluctance to design them large enough in the first place? OK, I can see that structural weight is a consideration, but it must be more difficult to redesign the structure to accommodate subsequent enlargements.
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