Vertcal Fin design alternatives
It's back to tail rotors.
I have a theory which I would like some contructive opinions on.
The Vertical Fin (VF) operates in forward flight to provide anti torque and stability. In the hover the VF is redundant and the Tail Rotor (TR) is the anti-torque device.
Question 1. Does the VF add to the work load of thr TR in the hover?
Question 2. If the answer to Q1 is 'yes' then would a castoring VF be a feasable design feature to unload the TR. By castoring I would have a VF with a suitable bearing in the vertical plane which would allow normal anti-torque operation in the cruise and castor to the airflow (avoiding hitting the TR as it castors) in hovering siyuations.
Question 3. If a castoring VF is not feasable, then an alernative would be a 'Slatted@ VF which should be more efficient in the cruise and then allow air to pass through during hovering.
Or have I just a vivid imagination?
The benefit in my ideas are that the power demand of the TR would be reduced in this design benefitting either smallr TR or better power available to fenestron types/Notars.