AFAIR, according to tests after the AA587 accident the "crappy Airbus tail" did exceed the required and specified strength specifications by a considerable margin. A more valid point of Airbus-related criticism was the sensitive reaction of the rudder pedals, translating even very small pedal movements into considerable rudder deflections at higher speeds. And indeed there was apparently some widespread confusion regarding the limits represented by Va, including the FAA itself.* But all this has nothing to do with the tailfin strength or accessibility of the Airbus vertical stabilizer.
* Cited source: AA587: The Perils of Flying by the Book | Flying Magazine
@pattern: the B52 on the picture still has an (albeit small) remaining piece of vertical fin that stabilizes the airplane with regard to yawing movements. Without any fin and the resulting weathervaning tendency, AFAIK no airplane can be controlled in flight.