Canberra wooden fin

[Trim Stab]

I was having a look round the Canberra at Solway Air Museum yesterday and was surprised to learn that the forward portion of the fin is made of wood. Does anybody know why wood was used on this small part of the airframe and nowhere else? Did later models of the Canberra use wood here too?

Incidentally Solway Air Museum is well worth a visit if ever you are near Carlisle.

[bingofuel]

I think it was to do with achieving the correct balance on the rudder initially and using wood allowed for easy modification of the balance horn and rudder (ie saw a bit off or glue a bit on) it was probably then logical to just continue with a wooden structure.

[aw ditor]

ISTR the Gee' aerial was housed in the fin thus a wood covering acted as a "dielectric" covering.

[Rocket2]

Referred to in RAF service as the Mahogany Bomber if I recall correctly