FE Hoppy (post 1246), Lost in Saigon(post 1248)(thanks for the picture), and ttcse(post 1251) -
A poster stated that the AF vertical stabilizer had no fluids around it unlike the A310 vertical stabilizer. The difference might be that the A310 vertical stabilizer picture could have been taken as soon as 9 hours after the accident. Based on the picture the sea state seems fairly calm.
The AF 447 vertical stabilizer was not found for several days. Reports stated that the search was difficult due to weather and sea conditions.
Those differences may, or may not, explain the different levels of POL's near the vertical stabilizer.
Right now it's too premature to state the vertical stabilizer must have seperated inflight.